For large areas of weeds you want to reclaim—say, an overgrown corner of the yard—use solarization or smothering. Cover the area with clear plastic during the hottest weeks of summer. The heat builds up inside, cooking the weeds and their seeds.
Alternatively, cover them with a thick, opaque tarp for a month. It’s not pretty, but it’s devastatingly effective. Think of it as giving the weeds an unexpected, forced vacation from which they never return.
Baking Soda: The Gentle Giant
For a targeted touch, sprinkle baking soda onto weeds growing in narrow cracks. It changes the pH of the soil surface, making it difficult for them to survive. It’s particularly good for small, stubborn weeds like moss or bittercress.
Fun fact: Baking soda is also used to control fungal diseases on plants. It’s the Swiss Army knife of your pantry. Just don’t overdo it—too much can harm nearby plants.