First, I rent. Second, my landlord is awesome. Third, he’s also very much into order and neatness.
So, a few months ago he was was doing his usual landscaping check and he noticed some weeds growing up between the cracks of the stones on the back porch.
“I’ll take care of those next week,” he said.
What I heard: I’m going to soak your back porch with glyphosphate.
He’s an awesome guy, but not so much into the organic thing. Expediency and efficiency drive his decisions. So I talked him into letting me take care of it.
Now I had to take care of it. First stop, Google. I read up on natural herbicides. What could I use that would be nearly as effective as a glyphosphate-based weed killer? The bulk of articles favored straight white vinegar applied with a pump sprayer. So I went to Home Depot and bought a sprayer for about $10. Then off to the local grocery store for several gallons of white vinegar. Finally, I soaked all the weeds in the back and stood back to see the results.
They were amazing.
Below are a series of photos showing the application process and the results over a five day period. Bottom line: this is totally the best way to go. Added bonus: Kaia gets to help.
Mom
Izik
Denette
samsonblackwell
Hole in the Fence 
[…] the smaller weeds we used straight white vinegar, which is, as I’ve said before, the edible version of Round […]
My research suggests that a 20% solution is the best. There are mixes that can be bought. I was looking for something that would get all the oxalis around my house. In using it, one must take precaution not to hit anything but the weeds.
You’re not kidding, Sandi! I tend to do most of my outside stuff barefoot, and some of the vinegar splashed on my feet. Ow, ow, ow!
Thanks for this idea. I will try it.
Yay! Let me know how it works!