Weeds, grass clippings and compost concerns

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The following are popular questions asked to OSU Extension, especially in the spring when lawns and compost piles are kicking into gear. Read on for answers.

How can I naturally kill dandelions?

P: Is there a solution I can spray on dandelions instead of pulling them up? Not Roundup.... does vinegar, dawn soap and Epson salts work? Or is there a better one?

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Is vinegar effective for killing weeds?

P: What do you recommend for keeping weeds at bay in planting beds? We'd like to stop using Round-Up. Our beds are too big and the weeds are too numerous to be able to keep up mechanically. Would a vinegar solution be harmful to the soil?

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Does vinegar help with controlling weeds?

P: I’m thinking of using horticultural vinegar a spot applicator such as Weed Wand Magic to kill weeds like dandelions & possibly painting the vinegar onto grasses growing in a planting bed. Do you have any experience with this approach?

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Can I use vinegar to kill dandelions in my grass so that the clippings are safe to compost?

P: I'm composting on site and wondering how concerned I should be about adding the grass clippings. Is there a weed killer that I could use that is safe to compost for a food garden? I’ve been looking into a vinegar/dish soap mix.

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Grass clippings too toxic to compost?

P: Once or twice a summer I treat my lawn with weed & feed and spray on weed killer for lawns. Is it safe to use compost made from the lawn clippings? How long should I reasonably wait to use clippings for compost, and is it safe to use the compost in my veggie garden the following summer?

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Apr 2024

Lynn Ketchum photo of hands in worm compost

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Garden soil and compost, Lawn and turfgrass, Weeds

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