The homemade weed killer "could" be okay for occassional use, but I would not use it on a regular nor a frequent basis. It could initially kill weeds but it could alter the growing conditions of the soil to promote another resistant plant or even damage the microorganisms in the soil that keep the soil "healthy" and functioning properly. A healthy soil is important. Normal soil does contain myrids of living organisms to process organics that accumulate in or on the soil. A resistant plant once established my be more difficult to eradicate than the original offending plants.
An approved herbicide such as a glysophate product (examples Rodeo + surfactant or ShoreKlear-Plus) dissipates and breaks down relatively rapidly leaving very little or no toxic residue and not altering the soil conditions.
Currently glysosphate products are in a price war and prices for it are about 1/2 what they were a couple years ago. Makers of Round-up (Monsanto) maintained fairly high prices with the rationale that newly developed surfactants make their product better than other brands or generics. But even now, makers of Round-Up are changing their philosophy and lowering their basic price. Users should currently see or will soon see a price decrease. Homemade may at times appear to work okay but it is not always better especially in the long term or if all things or features known and unknown are considered.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 08/14/10 01:55 PM.
