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Maybe you got a nasty notice from the homeowners association. Or maybe you spent the weekend weeding, only to come home and find grass or dandelions poking up between your pavers or the cracks of your sidewalk. They’re unsightly and can cause serious damage to your walkway. Before you reach for the spray bottle of […]
\n","content":"\nMaybe you got a nasty notice from the homeowners association. Or maybe you spent the weekend weeding, only to come home and find grass or dandelions poking up between your pavers or the cracks of your sidewalk. They’re unsightly and can cause serious damage to your walkway.
\n\n\n\nBefore you reach for the spray bottle of Roundup or some other toxic weed killer containing glyphosate, take a look in your kitchen. You may already have all the ingredients to kill weeds and grass in driveway cracks. Homemade solutions are both cheap and eco-friendly.
\n\n\n\nLet’s start with why grass and weeds are attracted to sidewalk cracks. The cracks and crevices look small, but the spaces between pavers hold an amazing amount of dirt and organic matter. This matter gets swept by wind and rain and snow. Those crevices also hold onto moisture a little longer than flat surfaces, so it’s a perfect incubator for the weed seeds or grass.
\n\n\n\nThe setup also gives grass and weeds a little protection from you. It’s tough to get to the grass roots, or taproots of the weeds when all you can do is try to pull the unwanted plants by their tops. And you’re not likely to mulch those areas, as you would your flower beds, to prevent a return. But you can find everything you need to get to the root of the problem, in your kitchen — without turning to chemical herbicides sold at the garden center.
\n\n\n\nThe good news is that because the unwanted intruders are in driveway or sidewalk cracks, you don’t need to be as precise when applying your homemade remedies. A poorly aimed squirt has less of a chance to hit and accidentally kill desirable plants.
\n\n\n\nFirst, a word of warning: These common kitchen ingredients aren’t toxic in small doses, but they’re not benign, either. “Several can be harmful to people/pets during mixing and application, owing to inhalation, skin or eye contact, or spray mist. Some have unpleasant smells or have an allergenic effect,” writes Deborah Smith-Fiola and Stanton Gill for the University of Maryland Extension. Some hazards are obvious: Boiling water can burn you if you are not careful with it. Others aren’t as obvious. Don’t take chances and handle all of them carefully.
\n\n\n\nThe pros of homemade weed killers are that yes, they do provide some level of weed control, without the environmental or health risks that toxic chemicals can leave behind. That’s more peace of mind for parents, pet owners, and for people who care about the environment. It also gives you more control over your weed problem, killing those stubborn grasses and new weeds that seem to pop up all too often in the driveway cracks and crevices of your hardscaping. If you apply natural weed killer enough and at the right time, you may finally be free of those pesky plants that ruin the look of your yard.
\n\n\n\nImage credit: “Hordeum leporinum,” by Matt Lavin, CC by SA 2.0
\n","title":"Getting Rid of Weeds, Grass in Driveway Cracks","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1789c/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg","srcSet":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/107df/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 320w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/293e9/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 500w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/f2cbb/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 800w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1789c/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 960w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/356ef/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1dd6e/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/67b76/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 320w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/8df11/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 500w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/98a65/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 800w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/1dd6e/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 960w,\n/static/758039ca3b2de2ecb8e7a4ee81da9156/93f70/rsz_weed-in-driveway-crack-matt-lavin-cc20.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Getting Rid of Weeds, Grass in Driveway Cracks | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"e4a8d17b-718a-50fa-bae1-49c781b04229","slug":"how-to-kill-off-dandelions","path":"/blog/home-and-garden/how-to-kill-off-dandelions/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Frank Naper is a nature enthusiast who loves to travel and explore new cities, taking nature photographs along the way.","name":"Frank Naper","id":"548facf1-0faf-5729-a658-167972066913","path":"/author/frank-naper/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/905ec21d5a8e70f5f8486364c08aa6b2?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"a4b803e1-5b3a-516a-b5b4-c5b50b2ae834","name":"Home & Garden","count":19,"path":"/category/blog/home-and-garden/"},{"id":"e80a46cb-c990-5ffe-81c8-aa77d74e07ad","name":"Weeds","count":2,"path":"/category/weeds/"}],"date":"October 15th, 2019","excerpt":"If you’ve ruled out making wine out of dandelions or adding them to your salad, you’re no doubt looking for ways to get rid of the lawn weeds in your yard. While this isn’t an easy task, it is possible. We’ve rounded up a few options to help you get your yard dandelion-free. The bright […]
\n","content":"\nIf you’ve ruled out making wine out of dandelions or adding them to your salad, you’re no doubt looking for ways to get rid of the lawn weeds in your yard. While this isn’t an easy task, it is possible. We’ve rounded up a few options to help you get your yard dandelion-free.
\n\n\n\nThe bright yellow, cheerful dandelion is a broadleaf perennial. When it invades your yard, you may feel anything but cheery. They get their name from the French “dent de lion.” It means “tooth of the lion,” and refers to the plant’s serrated green leaves. They’re native to Eurasia. European settlers introduced them to New England in the 1600s as a salad green. They’ve been here ever since, and if without weed control, they’ll take over your lawn and garden.
\n\n\n\nDandelions have a thick taproot that grows vertically into the ground. They also self-pollinate when the yellow flower turns into a grey, fuzzy seed head. One gentle breeze (or helpful child blowing the seeds) later, the seeds land and produce a new crop of dandelions. Here’s a list of suggestions for killing dandelions.
\n\n\n\nThe best way to kill dandelions is the old-fashioned way: pulling or digging them from the ground. When you mow the grass, it leaves the roots behind. The weeds grow back in a week or two, and you’re back to weeding. You’ll have a better chance of getting the entire taproot if you pick them within a few days after it rains. When the ground is wet, it’s easier to remove the whole plant. Make sure you bag them and get rid of them, so the seeds won’t regerminate.
\n\n\n\nPouring water over the dandelions is effective, but it could damage the grass and nearby plants. If you decide to use the boiling water method, pour the hot liquid over the head, stem, and root. Repeat twice a day until the entire plant has shriveled and died. Pull the dandelion, making sure to get all of the root.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iXTJYZQlPXzWKoBwihG1o5VELINP-GkysZs8nzU0HN6yjbvi51nYbQwOQZ8-hIE312VwFk5jdYsT4p2TQlFZZysclSQRWC8xM2ZVT5vyS4uJI0r2neyAGQgFRwFZ-2AXiJgy4-rQ\")
Using vinegar with 25% acetic acid also works, but again you risk killing the grass and other plants. Common household vinegar is about 5% acetic acid — the more-concentrated form is the one that actually kills plants. Spray the entire plant once a day, being careful not to spray the grass. Repeat the process until it’s dead. Pull the stem by hand, again making sure to get all of the roots. Another DIY remedy is to mix 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1 quart vinegar. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray until you’ve covered all parts of the dandelion. Spray again if it hasn’t withered in about three hours.
\n\n\n\nGet a broadleaf herbicide (weed killer) that will kill dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. Follow the instructions carefully. Most broadleaf herbicides start working within a few days. Non-selective herbicides are another option, and they’re generally more effective. They’ll also kill the surrounding grass and other plants, so use them with caution. Pre-emergent herbicide can prevent dandelion seeds from germinating. For it to be effective, you must apply it in early fall and again in early spring. Once the seeds have germinated, it’s too late.
\n\n\n\nMulch is another way to control dandelions and other perennial weeds. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Department suggests, “Mulching with landscape fabrics can be particularly effective for controlling seedlings, reducing the amount of light that is able to reach the soil. Use mulch in flowerbeds to smother existing weeds and prevent new ones from growing.”
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GbtVXYoBCgyhvuO-DWDZPlCdBhFPnEDczK15gFtaAT9-k2P-1hTp5-uNQqM4arC-EJfZvlCn5HhmmzejaesqV1LnBMGhOvbrBNJddOPxbfMfP--GS5Gy_Kgw3dsQjVjnFLiOfPgn\")
This farm to lawn idea can be relatively effective. Chickens love dandelions, and you’ll have fresh eggs to boot! The chickens won’t eat the dandelion roots, so this method won’t get rid of them permanently. Once the dandelions grow back, let the chickens chow down on them again. You won’t have dandelions, but the chickens may leave a bigger mess in your yard!
\n\n\n\nRegular lawn care and maintenance can help control dandelions from spreading. Mowing will kill dandelions before they can go to seed, preventing new growth. But your lawn mower can do only so much. Since the root is still in the ground, new plants will soon sprout. Leaving the clippings on the lawn after mowing can also help. The clippings act as a mulch and can keep seeds from germinating.
\n\n\n\nOnce you’ve decided to battle dandelions, it’s going to take patience, time, and persistence to get rid of them. The best strategy is to stay on top of them before they turn from a yellow flower to a white puffball.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Dandelions, Mike Mozart, CC by 2.0
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