The Versatile Pantry Staple Martha Stewart Uses To Keep Weeds Out Of Her Garden

There are several certainties in life: Death, taxes, and weeds. If you're a gardener, you know that it takes months, even years, to care for and nurture a rose garden, but only a single day for a weed to pop up and start taking over your hard work. But never fear, if you love Martha Stewart's organization tricks for the kitchen, you are going to love her tips for the garden. The queen of the green thumb says there is one pantry item that can help you stop weeds at their roots, and you probably have it in your pantry: Baking soda. This powdery bi-carbonate is generally reserved for combating odors in the fridge and helping your favorite buttermilk biscuits reach flaky heights, but it can also kill weeds. 

How does it work? It starts by spraying the weeds with water and then giving them a good sprinkle of baking soda. Stewart explains that the baking soda is going to dry out the weed's leaves and turn them brown, while the moisture will serve as a vehicle for this staple to get to the roots. Because baking soda is full of salt, it sucks up the water needed for the weeds to grow and flourish. However, before you run to your cupboards to fetch a box, there is one thing you need to keep in mind.

Martha Stewart notes that you only want to apply the baking soda to the weeds you are trying to kill. If you are overzealous with your dusting, you may end up killing the flowers and plants you are trying to protect. This trick works best on a warm, sunny day. You also want a stretch of days where rain isn't in the forecast, as it will wash the baking soda away. Additionally, if you use this DIY weed killer, keep in mind that baking soda doesn't immediately disappear from the soil. It can linger, which is another reason to be conservative when you are using it on weeds. 

Baking soda is perfect for killing those pesky weeds that like to poke out of the crevices and cracks of your sidewalk or pavement; however, you may find that it is more of a short-term fix. Some argue that the baking soda doesn't penetrate the roots, and for this reason, you must make it part of your routine garden and lawn care. That said, it is best to use this household baking soda trick weekly, and your flower beds will be the envy of your neighborhood.