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What is a safe homemade solution for preventing weed growth. #908305

Asked July 03, 2025, 9:56 AM EDT

I have been told that 1 gallon of vinegar, one cup of table salt, and one table of soap can prevent weeds. Is this the case. Is this a safe method.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Rosemary,

It’s not safe. This mix is often advertised as a weed killer. It makes weeds go brown so they look dead but they will come back from the roots. Vinegar and salt are not good for your garden soil, will kill good microorganisms and may poison the soil so that nothing grows there, including grass.

See this page:

https://www.southernliving.com/garden/weeds/vinegar-epsom-salt-weed-killer

Some products, including one called Preen, lay a barrier on the soil to prevent seeds from sprouting. It doesn’t prevent perennial weeds like dandelions from coming back.

Weeding a garden and then mulching with about three inches of wood chips will deter new weeds. 

Hope this helps. Thanks.

MJ Replied July 03, 2025, 5:54 PM EDT

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