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We tested glyphosate-free products to see which ones were most effective.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
Weeds are some of the most resilient plants around.
But youdont need to use harsh chemicalsto take them down.
For quicker and less back-breaking results, natural weed killers can do the job.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
But something more gentle can do the same thing.
They are identified by their scientific name on all weed killer labels.
Even on natural weed killer products, the active ingredients scientific name may be difficult to recognize.
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Water is dihydrogen monoxide.
You know, that’s a funny way of saying it, but that’s just what water is.
But dont run out and dump your salad dressing on your weeds.
The weed killer caused weeds to shrivel up and die within 24 hours.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
It doesnt kill everything indiscriminately.
The tradeoff for this soil-friendly ingredient?
Well, just think of it as pickles, Goff says with a laugh.
Honestly, it doesnt stick around.
That smell dissipates almost immediately.
Its at least going to be more familiar to you than a harsh chemical smell.
Iron, orFeHEDTA, the active ingredient inSunday Dandelion Doom Broadleaf Herbicide, is another standout ingredient.
Its one of the only selective weed killers that Ive seen, Kroes says.
Iron is a nutrient in the leaf, Kroes explains.
Broadleaves are way better at taking in the iron.
When its applied to them, they get poisoned by it, basically.
But grass absorbs iron way slower.
So it doesn’t kill the grass.
Its a pretty nifty little thing to kill the weeds on your lawn.
Organic vs Natural
Customers shopping for organic weed killers need to be savvy.
Unlike food-item labels, herbicide labels are not strictly regulated by the USDA.
Any weed killer can use the term organic on its packaging.
If the organic moniker is important to you, look for the OMRI tag, Goff says.
The term natural can be equally elusive.
Without one, the government or third-party agencies cant regulate it.
The vinegar-based solution has a strong odor during software, and it is not suitable for use on lawns.
Made from corn and vinegar, the OMRI-listed formula is potent enough to eliminate anything it touches.
We tested it on three types of existing weeds growing out of cracks in a driveway.
We liked that no dilution was required to get started, and that the set-up was simple.
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The first thing we noticed was the strong smell of vinegar, which thankfully dissipated after the product dried.
Within 24 hours, the weeds were brown, shriveled, and dead.
Because the vinegar-based solution doesnt impact plant roots, regular reapplication will be required.
An hour after application, the weeds were dead.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
As the product recommends, we sprayed this herbicide on weeds exposed to direct sunlight.
It is a controversial ingredient due to its potential effects on environmental and human health.
The instructions on the label were not very clear, and its not suitable for use on lawns.
The attachment is powered by batteries to make direct spraying smooth, steady, and squeeze-free.
The wand also has a locking mechanism that made us feel safe using and storing this product.
The set up was fairly intuitive despite finding the instructions on the label difficult to follow.
Once the wand was in place, the herbicide was ready to use.
The results lived up to our expectations: the weeds were dead within one hour of system.
We loved that there is no measuring required to mix this natural weed killer concentrate.
Then screw the cap onto the pouch to seal.
A battery-powered wand completes theSunday Weed Warrior Herbicide Concentrate Starter Pack, which attaches to the totable pouch.
We found that it worked fast on crabgrass and spotted spurge, although it was slower to impact plantain.
After 24 hours, all sprayed weeds looked worse off.
However, that didnt stop our tester from purchasing a refill bottle.
If you think you may be sensitive to the formula, consider wearing a face mask while using it.
Its not OMRI-listed, and we could not find instructions on the label for pet and child safety.
We were impressed by the speed of this natural weed killer.
We could see it taking effect on Bahiagrass and leafy weeds like Chamberbitter in as little as 15 minutes.
By the 24-hour mark, the targeted grass and weeds had almost disintegrated.
Its also a speedy process to set upNatria Ready-to-Use Weed and Grass Control.
We plugged the spray handle into the container and it was ready to go without any fuss.
Because its non-selective, we did not test it on lawns.
The weed killer is also visible upon utility and is effective in cool, cloudy conditions.
The spray bottle caused hand fatigue, and it has a powerful and lingering citrus scent.
Credit: Sunday
The mostearth-friendly way to kill weedsis to dig them out by their roots.
Its made with an oil extracted from orange peels that kills plantsincluding lawn grassesby dehydrating their blades and leaves.
It has a powerful citrus scent to match, which unfortunately lingered for hours after app.
Weeds were dead and dried up within 24 hours of application.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
We dont recommend spraying it right before an outdoor party.
Dandelion leaves and crabgrass were visibly affected within hours of tool and dried up within 48 hours.
Its not OMRI-listed, and its not suitable for sidewalks or walkways.
Even though thistles are such tough, thick weeds to kill, we found that this formula was effective.
Based on its performance with thistles, we think it would have a similar impact on dandelions.
We had no issue connecting the components to the lid of the jug.
We didnt detect any negative impact on lawn grass during testing.
However, this natural weed killer is not suitable for all surfaces.
So, keeponthe grass.
It targets all weeds and grasses that grow in driveways, sidewalks, or mulch beds.
Since it kills grasses, avoid using it on your lawn.
The formula promises results in as little as one hour.
True to its name, the weed killer was easy to aim and spray.
When you squeeze the trigger, the liquid sprays from a hole in the middle of the top.
Our only complaint with this product was the packaging.
Upon receiving the weed killer, the bottle looked completely full.
We spent two weeks testing each natural weed killer for effectiveness.
We reported whether or not its performance lived up to our expectations.
After testing, we evaluated whether the price was fair for the performance of each natural weed killer.
But the packaging left too much to be desired for us to recommend.
The print on the label was hard to read and we couldnt really understand the instructions.
Your Questions, Answered
Can you use weed killers in raised garden beds?
Technically, weed killers can be used inraised garden beds.
But there are several downsides to itincluding risk of contamination.
Credit: Amazon
Raised beds can be kind of tight quarters, Goff says.
I would be hesitant to spray there because I can only control where it drifts so much.
So the roots of weeds in raised beds should let go much, much quicker.
Within just 24 hours, the targeted weeds and grasses were dead.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Are weed killers harmful to beneficial insects?
Weed killers of any kind can be harmful to bees, moths, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
That may mean going out in the evening to spray, Goff says.
Or just stop spraying if you notice that there are a lot of bees or butterflies in the area.
I always bring a piece of cardboard with me to protect anything behind or around where I’m spraying.
Can you use weed killer year round?
It depends on your climate.
For one, no sun.
And two, it’s going to just get rinsed off by the rain.
If the weed youre battling has a seeding season in the colder months, use prevention measures.
A move like this will interrupt a weeds growth and ultimately slow its spread.
Who We Are
Kate Puhalais a writer and gardener based in Portland, OR.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Amazon
Some weeds turned yellow within just five minutes, but all the weeds were dead within a day.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Lowe’s
The narrow wand head made it easy to target dandelions.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
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Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
