Safe weed killer

johncleme65

Hello all,
I want to make my own weed killer.
I have seen people using white vinegar mixed with Epsom salts and washing up liquid, is this any good.
I want it to be environmentally friendly and harmless to pets and wildlife, this is very important to me.
I welcome your advice please .

punkdoc

Vinegar is not safe for wildlife, and I expect in the concentrations required, none of the other stuff is either.
The only totally safe method, is to physically dig the weeds out.

Busy-Lizzie

I have used vinegar, the cleaning sort, salt and a squirt of washing up liquid on my drive. It worked but it isn't good for the soil or for worms. I wouldn't use it anywhere else. I expect it is OK if you have pets.

Pete.8

I use glyphosate (Roundup or Rosate) for perennial weeds that are too big or in a tight spot unsuitable for digging out.
It's safe for pets once dry and has no detrimental effect on the soil or any wildlife living in the soil.
The only thing it harms are the weeds it's sprayed onto.

MikeOxgreen

Read here:
Weeding block paving — BBC Gardeners' World Magazine (gardenersworld.com)

Arthur1

If you must use chemicals to control weeds then if you use approved products ie herbicides, you will cause less environmental harm than if you pour salt, vinegar or detergent onto the ground. Ideally of course you would use physical or cultural methods but I know that is not always possible.

johncleme65

many thanks 

johncleme65

thanks thanks to you all for your help, I cannot seem to reply individually 

Lyn

@johncleme65. If you want to reply to individual posts all you need do is select the @ symbol then start to type the persons name, it usually select for you in a drop down panel. 

johncleme65

understood, thanks

KT53

Define 'Safe'.  A weedkiller kills plants so isn't safe if you're a plant.