If you’re aiming to create a lovely green lawn, it can be annoying when weeds keep appearing. Some weeds, such as dandelions and crabgrass, can be very stubborn and hard to eliminate. If you’re looking to reduce your use of herbicides to help protect the environment, you may be looking for a natural weed killer. Ammonia will kill weeds. This article will discuss how to use it to get rid of weeds.
Ammonia Will Kill Weeds
While chemical weed killers work well, an increasing number of homeowners are becoming more environmentally aware. Others are reluctant to use chemical herbicides as they have children and pets playing in their yard. Ammonia is an excellent alternative to herbicides as it’s natural and can kill the most stubborn species of weeds.
However, it’s worth noting that ammonia is still toxic, and you’ll need to take precautions when using it, just as you would any other weed killer. Ammonia also isn’t selective about which plants it kills. This means that if you get it on the grass (ammonia is a grass killer) surrounding the weeds, you’ll end up with a patchy lawn, which you’ll then need to overseed. While ammonia is very effective, its’ not recommended for regular use as an excessive amount of ammonia can damage the soil by altering its ph. Overuse of ammonia will mean that other plants will struggle to thrive in the soil.
Ammonia is relatively fast-acting; it’s able to kill weeds by dehydrating them from the roots up. It may take a bit longer to act than some other herbicides as it has to seep through the soil to the weed’s roots. You’ll need to spray the weed thoroughly, or it may regrow the following season.
Which Weeds Does Ammonia Kill?
Ammonia can be used to kill many common weeds that can be difficult to get rid of due to their stubborn rooting systems and ability to regrow if even a tiny piece of root is left in the ground. It’s very effective against the following weeds:
Crabgrass
Crabgrass often reappears annually even if you thought you’d got rid of it the previous season. Using ammonia will help you wipe out this weed as it gets down to the root and dehydrates the plant. If you use the correct amount of ammonia, crabgrass won’t regrow next season.
Ammonia is one of the best tools to kill crabgrass.
Dandelions
Dandelions are an annoying perennial that can be tricky to get rid of. They seem to appear all over the neighborhood during the Spring. This stubborn weed is often found growing between patio slabs and near driveways. The good news is that it can be effectively eliminated by using ammonia.
Poison Sumac
Poison Sumac is a thick shrub that often seems to be resistant to herbicides. It can regrow the next season if not correctly treated. If you’re having problems with poison Sumac in your yard, try dousing the weed in ammonia as this will kill the weed.
Common Ragweed
Ragweed is an annoying weed that causes allergies for many people. Luckily ammonia can be used to get rid of this plant permanently.
Ground Ivy
Ammonia is one of the best ways to get rid of ground ivy.
How To Use Ammonia to Kill Weeds
An ammonia solution can be applied to weeds to kill them. You’ll need to take some precautions to protect yourself, your family, and the other plants in your yard. Before you begin, you’ll need a bucket, funnel, a stick for stirring, a spray bottle, and a pair of rubber gloves. It’s also beneficial to wear a mask as you don’t want to breathe in any fumes from the ammonia.
The ammonia can be mixed with water at a ratio of 2/3 ammonia to 1/3 water. Ensure that you stir the solution well. You can then use the funnel to put the solution into the spray bottle. It’s best to use a spray bottle that has an adjustable nozzle. This will allow you to spray the ammonia onto your weeds.
Carefully spray all the weeds, ensuring even coverage. Be careful not to get any on the grass or other plants, although often this can’t be avoided.
Once you’ve finished, you should wash your hands well with soap and hot water.
Conclusion
Ammonia is an excellent way of killing weeds such as crabgrass and ground ivy, which can be very stubborn and hard to get rid of. When mixing and applying ammonia solution, take simple precautions. Always wear gloves and keep children and pets away from the area. Another weed killer idea you can try would be apple cider vinegar.