Safest way to kill grass/weeds re: backyard crawler course

[BashNSlash]

Hey folks,

I'm working on a backyard crawler course and wanted to know if anyone has any safe, effective ways to remove/kill grass and weeds - we have a dog, so chemicals are out of the question.

Would something like vinegar work? I'm pulling out what I can, but it's not very permanent, or quick and easy! LOL

[Voodoobrew]

Why not get some bad ass weed killer?

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[BashNSlash]

Originally Posted by Voodoobrew

Why not get some bad ass weed killer

Doesn't seem to be available in Canada, but something like that might work just fine!

[Voodoobrew]

Vinager is a chemical. Non chemical ways would include elbow grease and weed whackers. Pulling them out by the root is best, only wacking the top off allows them to grow back fast. But if you stay on it you end up with less seeds that sprout. More weeds is more weed seeds.

Many of the chemicals you get for around the house are only dangerous when they are wet, after that it's to hard to ingest enough to be dangerous. But read the lables for pet and child safety.

I never used the stuff myself, I use roundup mix with finale and my pets are fine but I put them inside for half hour. After that they run through the soon to be dead weeds perfectly healthy.


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[rkj__]

The simple home-brew plant killer recipe is vinegar, salt, and dish soap. Note, the mixture is corrosive, so it can damage your sprayer if it has metal components, and is not cleaned after use.

The higher concentration the better for the vinegar. There is the basic kind you put on your french fries, canning vinegar is a touch stronger, and cleaning vinegar is a little stronger yet. Some garden centres may sell an even stronger horticultural grade.

[BashNSlash]

Awesome. Thanks for the tips!

[DukeMinnix]

if you don't have the area full of wood, fuel and fire is an options

[BashNSlash]

Originally Posted by DukeMinnix

if you don't have the area full of wood, fuel and fire is an options

Yeah that's going to be extreme for my situation! I let my bashes tear up the larger areas of grass, but my crawler course needs some intervention

[TheLetterJ]

If it's somewhat flat-ish, you can lay black visqueen/plastic sheeting over the top, stake it down and wait. Over the course of a few days of good sunlight, EVERYTHING under the sheeting will die.

[BashNSlash]

Originally Posted by TheLetterJ

If it's somewhat flat-ish, you can lay black visqueen/plastic sheeting over the top, stake it down and wait. Over the course of a few days of good sunlight, EVERYTHING under the sheeting will die.

Unfortunately a lot of the rocks and logs I plan to use are in the way, but that's a great idea that might still work in other areas.

[Atchley]

I use stuff called vegetation killer. But I have to battle kudzu too.

[mewalsh100]

Controlled Burn

[RunningWithBeers]

Originally Posted by rkj__

The simple home-brew plant killer recipe is vinegar, salt, and dish soap. Note, the mixture is corrosive, so it can damage your sprayer if it has metal components, and is not cleaned after use.

The higher concentration the better for the vinegar. There is the basic kind you put on your french fries, canning vinegar is a touch stronger, and cleaning vinegar is a little stronger yet. Some garden centres may sell an even stronger horticultural grade.

Had someone post a mixture of this up on facebook the other day that I'm itching to try on the RC track and a few other places. The ratio they suggested was 1 gallon vinegar, 2 cups epsom salt, and a 1/4 cup of dish soap. I still need to move more clay this weekend but once I'm done I'm tempted to spray the track with the mixture to keep the weeds at bay.

[CODYBOY]

I use the same as above, 2 cups Epson salt, one gallon of vinegar and 4 table spoons of Dawn. I use a normal pump sprayer. unlike round up, you have to cover the plant pretty good when spraying. Works great!
Ernie

[wyd]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

I use the same as above, 2 cups Epson salt, one gallon of vinegar and 4 table spoons of Dawn. I use a normal pump sprayer. unlike round up, you have to cover the plant pretty good when spraying. Works great!
Ernie

I use the same as CODYBOY. Works great.

[MrBlank]

I agree with fire. Home Depot sells a torch that uses the usual plumber sized blue propane tanks with a long shaft so that you don't have to crawl around on your knees. I thought of buying one for my Dad as he used to always (or have me) pull the weeds by hand when I was a kid / lived at home - but i think he is getting old for crawling on his knees, and my Mom has rarely bothered.

[traxxas79k5]

Use a flat shovel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HOmM7VeWw

[ferp420]

ive tryed the viniger and salt it works on some weeds like poison oak but it realy just changes the ph in the plants som3 weeds dont have any issue with acidic water the soap is a sufficant and that just helps the viniger and salt cover the leaves 5he salt only works on plants that dont tolerate salt so that solution only works on certin plants
the coast side has very acidic soil and the salt spray from the ocean is way more than in that solution and the plants thrive
if you realy want to get rid of the weeds use a tarp or something to cover the course take it off to crawl then cover it back up it will solve your problem 100% of the time with zero chemicals the only issue is its ugly so that may not be a option

[BashNSlash]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[number9]

Diesel fuel. Plentiful and cheap.