Battling with weeds that sprout through the cracks of your patio can be a frustrating experience. But a TikToker named Jessica Nakamura has shared a simple and surprising solution using a common kitchen staple: baking soda. She demonstrated how to use baking soda to effectively kill weeds and prevent them from returning.
Nakamura’s method involves spreading a generous amount of baking soda into the cracks of the patio, followed by watering the area with a hose. Within 24 hours, the weeds will begin to dry out and become brittle, making removal effortless.
Gardening experts like those at The Spruce support Nakamura’s method. They recommend a mixture of 10 tablespoons of baking soda with one gallon of water, applied directly to weed leaves using a spray bottle. The effectiveness of baking soda as a weed killer stems from its salt content. Salt dehydrates plants, preventing them from absorbing essential nutrients and ultimately leading to their demise.
While Nakamura purchased her baking soda in bulk, smaller tubs are readily available at grocery stores for a fraction of the cost. The best part? Baking soda is considered relatively safe for pets and children, especially when compared to more potent chemical weed killers.
If you don’t have baking soda, regular salt can also be used. Harry Bodell, a garden expert, explains that salt works by depriving weeds of vital nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. This disrupts the plant’s ability to maintain hydration, causing it to dry out and die.
Bodell recommends applying a salt solution to weed-infested areas on a dry day to prevent the solution from washing away due to rain or humidity. The solution will effectively dehydrate the weeds overnight, allowing for easy removal the next day.
By using baking soda or salt, you can effectively rid your patio of pesky weeds while maintaining a pet- and child-friendly environment.
