Can Baking Soda Kill Weeds? What Turf Experts Say

Gardening and yard maintenance can bring you plenty of joy and fulfillment. Still, there’s a downside to having a hobby that involves growing things outdoors: weeds.

Weeds are simply a fact of gardening, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying. Pulling them individually can be labor-intensive, and spraying chemicals everywhere doesn’t exactly put your mind at ease. Some gardeners try using baking soda as a natural way to kill weeds, but does baking soda really get the job done? We asked a turf expert to confirm or deny.

Does Baking Soda Kill Weeds in Your Yard?

The simple answer is yes—baking soda does kill weeds. However, it’s not the magic bullet solution you think it is.

Pouring baking soda does burn the surface of certain weeds when it’s highly concentrated, explains Johannes Hock, president of Turf Solutions. It’s especially potent when used on broadleaf weeds growing out of cracks in concrete or stone.

“It draws moisture out of the plant tissue, and in some cases, that’s enough to brown the weed and stunt its growth,” Hock says. “But this only works when the weeds are exposed, small, and not deeply rooted.”

That’s because the baking soda doesn’t reach down to the soil or the root system. While you might see surface-level weeds die off, the plant itself is likely to survive and regrow. Translation: It’s a short-term fix at best. 

Another drawback of using baking soda? It doesn’t just damage weeds—it damages any plant it’s sprinkled on. So if you use it, you need to be careful about where you’re spreading it in order to keep your healthy plants alive and well.

Is There Another Effective Eco-Friendly Way to Get Rid of Weeds?

There’s one solution Hock recommends that doesn’t rely on synthetic chemicals: Spot-treating with horticultural vinegar that contains at least 20% acetic acid.

This stuff is not the same as regular household vinegar—it’s a much stronger solution specifically made for outdoor weed control, meaning you can’t create it at home. Instead, you can find it in garden supply stores labeled as “horticultural strength” or “agricultural vinegar.”

“Because of the high acid content, it should always be applied with gloves, protective eyewear, and a sprayer that is clearly marked for weed control use only,” Hock says. “It can irritate skin and damage nearby plants, so spray only where weeds are present.”

For the best results, he advises applying it during a sunny and dry part of the day so it dries on the leaf surface and breaks the plant tissue down quickly. “When used carefully, it’s one of the most effective natural weed treatments available,” he says.