Topic 'Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds?' in forum 'Home Improvement'

Topic 'Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds?' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20515822 en Sat, 25 May 2013 00:01:26 EDT Sat, 25 May 2013 00:01:26 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20542586
So I'd recommend a dark tarp over the area you want to kill. It will only be a short lived solution though, killing the existing plants. After that you will need to use some type of ingredient. I saw salt mentioned but you have to be very careful that what you use is safe for concrete. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20542586 Mon, 26 May 2008 18:28:34 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20542548 The 7 Deadly Homemade Weed Killers/Grass. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20542548 Mon, 26 May 2008 18:19:44 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20542350
Use the salt, it will work and your concrete won't be bothered.

I used to use my favorite defoliant, equal parts of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D, but you can't get that any more... ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20542350 Mon, 26 May 2008 17:27:55 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20541512 said by KrK:

Ya but if the salt stays there killing the plants it will be present when winter does come around...

Uh, only if you don't have one drop of rain between now and winter.

--
Bush is the Prez.... Think Patriot Act II.... This outspoken dissident.... In jail I'll be soon.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20541512 Mon, 26 May 2008 13:40:12 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20537485 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20537485 Sun, 25 May 2008 13:45:44 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20535044 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20535044 Sat, 24 May 2008 20:03:32 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20531819
Why does salt cause so much damage to some concrete?

In winter, when salt combines with water it is absorbed into concrete and becomes diluted in varying concentrations at varying depths. At a depth of about 5mm, the solution is so weak that the freezing point is near the regular freezing point of water (0°C). The top layer of concrete is very sensitive to minor temperature changes. Not only is it a narrow freezing zone, it also reacts to all temperature changes from -14° to 0° C. For instance, if the temperature drops from -4° to -5°C, a very thin layer will freeze.

The concrete that is saturated with enough salt to have a freezing point lower than -5° will remain unfrozen. Even slight changes in temperature lead to very fine divisions of freezing/thawing zones within the concrete. A drop of a three thousandth of a degree in temperature would freeze a layer of concrete a thousandth of a millimetre thick. Any change, no matter how small, between 0° and -15° will cause freezing or thawing of a thin layer in that critical top 5mm. Temperature changes caused by a passing cloud, an opened door, or even the infinitesimal change caused by body heat are a few of the hundreds of factors that cause minor fluctuations every day. Each change is a half of a freeze/thaw cycle.

On freezing, water expands about 10% and, if restrained, creates stresses that no concrete can withstand. The presence of salt in the cement in varying concentrations leads to many freezing/thawing cycles occurring in the surface and near surface of the concrete... literally tearing it apart and breaking it up.

Here's some more quotes:

quote:
"If you put salt on a concrete driveway or walkway within the first year, the surface will begin to peel and may not stop until it's gone. The salt doesn't have to be deliberately applied, either - what drips from your car may be enough. It is possible to mix the concrete to resist salt damage, but this has to be done at the batch plant, and will add to the cost of the work."

--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20531819 Fri, 23 May 2008 22:24:09 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20529389 said by KrK:

Guys, you can't use salt on concrete. It destroys cement! I don't why you would think that, but it's simply not true. Cities that salt the streets to melt ice in the winter have problems with cracks and pot holes, but it's not because of the salt. The problem is the salt melts the ice and melt water fill the cracks, and small holes. When the melt water re-freezes the ice expands and enlarges the cracks and holes.

Common table salt will not have any effect on concrete at all.

P.S. You may be confusing rock salt with table salt. The two are not the same compound. Rock salt is composed of Calcium, Magnesium, and potassium chlorides. Table salt is sodium chloride. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20529389 Fri, 23 May 2008 13:41:59 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20525635 destroys cement!

I'm sure salt would work wonders on the weeds tho... I just can't use it on the driveway :D TY tho for the suggestions!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20525635 Thu, 22 May 2008 19:48:12 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20524472 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20524472 Thu, 22 May 2008 16:03:48 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20523828 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20523828 Thu, 22 May 2008 14:14:13 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20522818 I mix mine a little stronger than the direction indicate, but sure enough it kills the weed.
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everyone is born ignorant. some are born stupid, others achieve stupidity and the rest have stupidity thrust upon them.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20522818 Thu, 22 May 2008 11:03:33 EDT Another Salt Here http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Another-Salt-Here-20522705 supposed to be a garden" area, heh. It kills it in the cracks of the walkways (brick) as well. Be liberal with it, it's just salt, and cheap. Not one weed left, nor anyting growing back.

Ditto on the "Roundup sucks", all that stuff does is temporarily turn the weeds brown .... they're nice anc green in 5 days.

--
Bush is the Prez....
Think Patriot Act II....
This outspoken dissident....
In jail I'll be soon.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Another-Salt-Here-20522705 Thu, 22 May 2008 10:38:30 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20522304 said by Brainless:

Dog Piss, Yea, I said it. Dog Piss. My dogs have left brown patches all over my yard and nothing will grow there. And the best part.... Its Free! ;)
And how do supposed to harness this potion. I don't think rover will take kindly to being fondled. :D
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Good judgement comes with experience...Experience comes after bad judgements]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20522304 Thu, 22 May 2008 09:15:03 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20522032 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20522032 Thu, 22 May 2008 07:54:57 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20521581 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20521581 Thu, 22 May 2008 02:17:18 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20521484
Not wanting to destroy the driveway to kill the weeds and grass :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20521484 Thu, 22 May 2008 01:31:22 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20521462 said by public:

said by mityfowl:

Really something like Roundup is about the best for your needs and it's relatively environmentally benign.

If you believe that, there is a bridge for sale
»The World According To Monsanto
Oh, I don't know what you are so worried about. God plans to kill all of us anyway.

If you decide to use Roundup, just use the absolute minimum necessary and apply it very sparingly. Understand how it works and use it accordingly.

There is a BIG difference in using it as a spot treatment and applying it to vast acreages.

Use common sense with chemicals...ALL chemicals.
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A is A]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20521462 Thu, 22 May 2008 01:23:08 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20520813 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20520813 Wed, 21 May 2008 22:32:10 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20520418 said by KrK:

Round-Up I was under the impression is 1) Expensive
2) Not environmentally friendly, and 3) Works on weeds but not on grass and stuff (which I need to kill too in the concrete.)
1) depends on what you consider expensive
2) since vegetation is part of the 'environment' and Round-Up kills all vegetation, one could say it's bad for the "environment". :)
3) it is a non-selective herbicide... kills all plants**

Given our daily chances of rain this time of year, you'd be better off applying one of the consumer products that 'works' quickly vs the slower commercial products.

**some 'woody' plants are somewhat resistant, but I doubt you have many of those growing in your driveway cracks.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20520418 Wed, 21 May 2008 21:23:21 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20519599
Cheers,

S
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FWD#537129]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20519599 Wed, 21 May 2008 18:58:18 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20519210 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20519210 Wed, 21 May 2008 17:55:53 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518875
2) I don't have any 3 headed (you name the critter)frogs or toads around here. Been using for 25 years at this house.

3) Glycosphates (brand name Round-Up) work best on grasses but works well on some broadleaf weeds.

4) I don't own any stock in the company :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518875 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:59:08 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518815
Salt helps destroy concrete. Well salt + water + winter but you get the idea.

The Brussel sprouts thing sounds interesting, and the vingar idea does too... Vinegar is super super cheap.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518815 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:51:49 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518800 2) Not environmentally friendly, and 3) Works on weeds but not on grass and stuff (which I need to kill too in the concrete.)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518800 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:48:59 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518793 If you want it permanent try salt. Yes salt, its cheap and without side effects.
Its the cheapest but it will leave your soil barren for a long long time.

Interested? read some more here »en.allexperts.com:80/q/Lawns-725···st-1.htm
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Good judgement comes with experience...Experience comes after bad judgements]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518793 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:47:46 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518644
Lawn weeds: Mix 1 teaspoon each of gin, vinegar and liquid dish soap with a quart of warm water. Spray weeds liberally in the cool of day, when not windy.

Then, take the rest of the Gin, sit in the shade, and enjoy!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20518644 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:26:51 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20517335 said by public:

said by mityfowl:

Really something like Roundup is about the best for your needs and it's relatively environmentally benign.

If you believe that, there is a bridge for sale
»The World According To Monsanto
If you can afford it, buy commercial RoundUp. It does not contain the extra crap they throw in. But you must be patient, it takes a week or so before any sign of it working. Monsanto adds other ingredients in the residential brands to give you the 'instant' kill look.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20517335 Wed, 21 May 2008 12:30:12 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516985 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516985 Wed, 21 May 2008 11:29:42 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516813 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516813 Wed, 21 May 2008 11:00:45 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516793 said by mityfowl:

Really something like Roundup is about the best for your needs and it's relatively environmentally benign. If you believe that, there is a bridge for sale
»The World According To Monsanto]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516793 Wed, 21 May 2008 10:57:02 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516731 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516731 Wed, 21 May 2008 10:45:13 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516278
If you read and follow the directions, and aren't right next to a body of water, I'd honestly just use Round-Up. While it's not 100% earth friendly, it's pretty stable and breaks down in a relatively short period of time. It's pretty non-toxic in small doses for animals. It is toxic for aquatic animals, but if you use it just for your driveway or around the yard and you aren't right next to a body of water, there isn't really much concern regarding run-off.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516278 Wed, 21 May 2008 08:44:13 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516272
Quote: Human and mammalian toxicity
Glyphosate itself is practically nontoxic by ingestion or by skin contact. The acute oral toxicity of Roundup is > 5,000 mg/kg in the rat.[14] It showed no toxic effects when fed to animals for 2 years, and only produced rare cases of reproductive effects when fed in extremely large doses to rodents and dogs. It has not demonstrated any increase in cancer rates in animal studies and is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract. Glyphosate has no significant potential to accumulate in animal tissue. [15][16]

Not only is glyphosate used as five different salts but commercial formulations of it contain surfactants, which vary in nature and concentration. As a result, human poisoning with this herbicide is not with the active ingredient alone but with complex and variable mixtures. [17]

A review of the toxicological data on Roundup shows that there are at least 58 studies of the effects of Roundup itself on a range of organisms.[18] This review concluded that "for terrestrial uses of Roundup minimal acute and chronic risk was predicted for potentially exposed nontarget organisms". It also concluded that there were some risks to aquatic organisms exposed to Roundup in shallow water. More recent research indicates glyphosate induces a variety of functional abnormalities in fetuses and pregnant rats.[19] Also in recent mammalian research, glyphosate has been found to interfere with an enzyme involved testosterone production in mouse cell culture[20] and to interfere with an estrogen biosynthesis enzyme in cultures of Human Placental cells.[21]

Studies have shown that the application of Roundup on wheat crops a week before harvesting results in higher glyphosate residue in the resulting grain and in the baked flour. [22]

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundup#He···troversy]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516272 Wed, 21 May 2008 08:42:06 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516203 http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516203 Wed, 21 May 2008 08:18:42 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516156 any propane torch will do, but they do make special long handle ones for killing weeds or melting ice.
here's one, but a bit expensive: »www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d···er=91037
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The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516156 Wed, 21 May 2008 07:54:00 EDT Re: Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516004
Also, just covering them with plastic will too, especially when it is hot and can get over 130 or so for a couple days.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20516004 Wed, 21 May 2008 06:07:24 EDT Cheap & environmentally freindly way to kill grass & weeds? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20515822
Was wondering if anyone has ever used regular household products (eg bleach, vinegar, or similar) to deal with this type of issue? Something that doesn't hurt concrete too would be good, lol....
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Cheap-environmentally-freindly-way-to-kill-grass-weeds-20515822 Wed, 21 May 2008 03:03:29 EDT