Community Forums

MSHappyCampers · 06-08-2016, 04:23 PM

I need a good weed & grass killer that is less expensive than Roundup to kill the weeds and grass along the edge of my driveway. I Googled it and found several recommendations for mixing 1 gallon of white vinegar, 2 cups of salt, and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and applying it with a hand sprayer.

Have any of you tried this, and what were the results? Thanks!

rgvtexan · 06-08-2016, 05:33 PM

Joe Look at your local Ranch & Home, Big R, or Tractor Supply for weed sprays that are 41% Glyphosate. I can get a 2.5 gallon jug of consecrate for less than a gallon of RU.
Pronto Big N' Tuf works fine for me

vsheetz · 06-08-2016, 05:44 PM

Round up is not a defoliant. If you want longer results and don't plan to have anything grow there in the future, don't use round up.

palehorse89 · 06-08-2016, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Round up is not a defoliant. If you want longer results and don't plan to have anything grow there in the future, don't use round up.

What do you suggest Vince?? I have used RU for years, needs a couple of treatments over the summer.........

TQ60 · 06-09-2016, 07:44 AM

Tractor supply is your fruend!

What sells at Costco or home depot is way too expensive.

TSC has generic almost always on sale and branded product not bad either.

Estate sales also are good...Get a gallon for a buck sometimes.

If you want "more" seek out a commercial Ag supplier and get some surflan.

About 100 bucks maybe more but if you make it a tiny bit strong nothing grows...

If Bermuda grass you will need to mix higher concentrates and repeat a few times as it has massive amounts of rhizomes that keep poping up, can take a long time to get them all.

It tank mixes with round up and has orange dye to mark your spot that fades in a few days.

It keeps seeds from sprouting.

Booster trick...

Get some ammonia sulfate or other high nitrogen fertilizer (first number of 3) and win it in the water first.

Round up is a hormone that is absorbed by the leaves and the nitrogen causes the plant to suck it in like a junkie.

slickest1 · 06-12-2016, 04:00 PM

The vinegar, salt, and dish soap works way better than any round up or other sprays.
My wife mixed some up and it works great and it is cheap.
Try it, what have you got to loose.
Years ago my mother used to deal with weed with simple boiling water. It worked.

JJT · 06-12-2016, 04:12 PM

I have been using "Compare-N-Save concentrated grass and weed killer from Amazon for some years with great success. Costs $21.00 for a gallon and I mix 6 oz per gallon of water. Kills everything but takes about 5 days before you see any results. Need to apply it when you won't see any rain for a few days. One gallon lasts for quite some time when mixed correctly.

davendeb · 06-12-2016, 04:28 PM

I found out the hard way that salt water will kill grass. Poured out the salty water from ice cream mixer onto the yard. Had a bald spot for months.

h20ski · 06-12-2016, 05:12 PM

Go to your local farmers coop and tell them what you are doing. If they are anything like mine they will bend over backwards to help you. Oh and it's a lot cheaper than anywhere else around here.

Old-Biscuit · 06-12-2016, 05:26 PM

The salt/vinegar/soap will kill grasses BUT I have had ZERO/NADA Luck with it killing weeds........they stand up and laugh at it.

And this is in AZ 100*F PLUS temps.

Weeds stand up and laugh at NO Water

I'm going to check out the Tractor Supply place.....recent addition to area...haven't been there yet--------trips like that turn into a money bleed

TQ60 · 06-13-2016, 07:36 AM

Some plants that have a heavy rhizome structure are difficult even with a target chemical but can be done.

We have Bermuda grass that gets well established and depending on water the structure can be a foot deep.

You get roundup on any green or leaf part and it is absorbed resulting in that section dying off but then another section sprouts up.

You need to spray them weekly and it can take a long time to get them all.

Cultivation of the soil can break the structures weakening them.

Adding nitrogen to the mix will cause them to soak up more too.

Some weeds are more waterproof in hot climates to resist transpiration but they will grab the food that touches them.

Hikerdogs · 06-13-2016, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQ60

Tractor supply is your fruend!

What sells at Costco or home depot is way too expensive.

TSC has generic almost always on sale and branded product not bad either.

Estate sales also are good...Get a gallon for a buck sometimes.

If you want "more" seek out a commercial Ag supplier and get some surflan.

About 100 bucks maybe more but if you make it a tiny bit strong nothing grows...

If Bermuda grass you will need to mix higher concentrates and repeat a few times as it has massive amounts of rhizomes that keep poping up, can take a long time to get them all.

It tank mixes with round up and has orange dye to mark your spot that fades in a few days.

It keeps seeds from sprouting.

Booster trick...

Get some ammonia sulfate or other high nitrogen fertilizer (first number of 3) and win it in the water first.

Round up is a hormone that is absorbed by the leaves and the nitrogen causes the plant to suck it in like a junkie.

Make sure you check the prices at other farm stores and co ops before purchasing from Tractor Supply. At one time we had 2 Tractor Supply stores in our area. Their prices were considerably higher than the Farm and Fleet, Fleet Farm and co ops. They went from true farm stores to the store for the gentleman farmer. The closest one is now about 60 miles away.

TQ60 · 06-13-2016, 02:38 PM

Yup always check your local sources.

TSC is not like Fisco was and they are getting like walmart and harbor freight.

We buy feed from mom and pop feed store as it is far less cost and much higher quality than TSC but chemicals and odd ball sprayer parts that may be less someplace seem to be a good value.

We did get a gallon of the 41 % given to us at estate sale yesterday...hard to beat that price.