Weeding with Water

@mizrae (587)
United States
May 23, 2007 6:35pm CST
Some time ago I heard or read about this tip and have used it ever since. If you are into non-toxic weeding solutions this will work for your smaller areas, cracks in the cement, stone borders. Pour boiling water over the weeds or the grass growing in cracks or up thru stones. Within a few days, the weeds are dead, can easily be pulled out, and there are NO toxic chemical residues left behind.
5 people like this
8 responses
• United States
24 May 07
Great tip, Mizrae! Just be careful, make sure that the stones/cement that you are pouring near are warm from the sun before trying this. Boiling water on a cold stone (especially flagstones) may result in a little rock explosion! Cement should be in good shape too, because if it's falling apart, boiling water will only hasten its breakdown. I have had luck with common rock salt, which can be poured on weeds dry, and watered in. Be careful though - if you wish to plant something in the same area, wait a week or two and water the spot well before planting.
@onedollar (781)
• Belgium
13 Jun 07
My Grandma did this all the time with the residue water after boiling the patatoes ;-)
1 person likes this
@mizrae (587)
• United States
13 Jun 07
What another great tip. I'm always boiling the water in the kettle, but the next time I make mashed potatoes I'm going to dump the boiling water outside. A least in the summertime.
@waynet (2650)
24 May 07
But don't they come back again if you can't manage to get all the root out!!
1 person likes this
@mizrae (587)
• United States
24 May 07
Not in the same spot. The boiling water will kill the weed down to it's root base. Once the plant/weed has turned brown, that's when I remove it and usually have no problem removing the whole thing.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 07
That's a tip I'll be giving a try. I read someplace that vinegar also works. Have you ever tried that Pepsi lawn tonic?
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 07
I have never heard of that tip before. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
24 May 07
Yup! We heard that tip last year and began using it on our newly installed paver driveway! Worked like a charm! One can also put a little salt in the water too! I love finding non-chemical means of controlling household pests, garden problems, and household cleaning chores!
1 person likes this
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
24 May 07
What a great tip. I am going to have to try this out. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@ramaam (28)
• India
15 Jun 07
EXCELLENT TIP. I tried using soap solution which is thrown after we wash our clothes on parthenium weed. It slowly kills the weed.