A gardener has shared his advice for creating a homemade weed killer using just three ingredients that most households already stock. Glen, who runs a site containing 80 allotment plots, described the mixture as "effective" and "really cheap", and demonstrated how it cleared patches of weeds from between the cracks in his block paving.
The Homemade Mixture
Glen shared the guidance in a video on his YouTube channel, Veggie Patch Ideas, where he provides "practical advice, step-by-step tutorials and innovative techniques" to assist gardeners. He said: "So, let's go through the ingredients first. You'll need a spray bottle, just an empty one. And these, you can pick up as cheap as chips, or you can just use a spray bottle that you already have. Just make sure it has that screw lid, and you're good to go. The next thing you need is washing-up liquid."
He went on to advise: "Any will do - cheap, cheerful, whatever. And then table salt. And we all have these items in our house. The only thing you may need to buy is white vinegar. Now, this is distilled white vinegar, and this sits at around five per cent." Glen explained that while distilled white vinegar is weaker than standard white vinegar, both varieties work, urging viewers to "go for the cheapest" option available.
Application Method
He then proceeded to demonstrate the technique. Initially, he placed a small funnel into the opening of the spray bottle and poured in the complete bottle of vinegar, followed by a tablespoon and a half of salt. Glen added what he described as roughly the "same quantity" of washing-up liquid, stressing that you don't have to be "too accurate" and that it's needed to help the mixture stick to the leaves. Simply reinsert the trigger into the bottle and give it a shake, taking care not to get any in your eyes.
Results and Tips
Glen then put his budget weed killer to the test, starting with an "old nemesis" — bindweed. After giving the patch a thorough soaking, he returned three days later to discover it had dried out and begun to turn brown. He advised waiting for several consecutive dry days before applying the weed killer, as rainfall will make it ineffective. Glen also tackled his block paving, which he described as an "absolute mess". With weeds pushing up between the cracks, Glen gave them a generous spray. Returning a few days later, he found they had died back considerably, leaving the area looking vastly improved.
Alternative Natural Method
This follows Ground Force legend Alan Titchmarsh, who recently revealed a natural method for tackling weeds without resorting to chemicals or spending a penny. His recommendation? A garden hoe and a bit of sunny weather. In an online video, Alan said: "What you are trying to do with your Dutch hoe is separate the [weed] from its roots and that way it will cook once it's exposed to sunshine." He added: "Don't try and dig with the hoe. Remember, you're always skimming. The more of the weed root you can expose to the drying rays of the sun, the quicker they will die."
