Safe homemade weed killer - Ask Extension
Hi,
There are weeds and grass growing between stones in my walkway. I try to avoid harsh chemicals. Is there a homemade mixture I can make to kill th...
Knowledgebase
Safe homemade weed killer #905899
Asked June 16, 2025, 12:02 AM EDT
Hi,
There are weeds and grass growing between stones in my walkway. I try to avoid harsh chemicals. Is there a homemade mixture I can make to kill this growth?
Also, how far away does this application need to be from the plants and grass I want to keep?
Thank you!
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
DIY herbicides are not recommended as they are unregulated and often more dangerous than regulated herbicides. They may kill off the top of the plant growth, but not kill the roots, which means the plant will be back. They can also damage the soil organisms and wildlife.
Resources from National Pesticide Information Center:
https://npic.orst.edu/pest/home-remedies.html
https://www.npic.orst.edu/faq/vinegar.html
You could use a painters 5-in-1 tool to manually scrape the plant material away between the stones.
If you use a registered herbicide, remember that the label is the law. Read the label thoroughly and follow that products recommendations.
