Sunday, August 12, 2012

Pinterest Weeding Tips

I am a big fan of Pinterest.   I know I should not be on it due to all that legal hoopla but I really love it.  I think so many people are so talented.  I love to see what they make and the links to free patterns, well you just can't beat that.  Almost all of my pins are about yarn, knitting or crochet, imagine that!  But what I also find fascinating is the cleaning tips.  I have tried the Dawn dish detergent and vinegar  combo to remove soap scum from shower doors.  Did not work for me.  Then the liter bottle of Coke I bought to help remove the ring of hard water in my toilets, well I left that Coke in there for what seemed like forever, it was brown and disgusting for a while and when I finally flushed I had the same hard water line I had before.  Imagine drinking something that is supposed to clean your toilet!  I have never been a big fan of soda and this has turned me off even more. 

So I have decided to stop these crazy Pinterest ideas until I came upon this one.

 Baking soda is supposed to change the PH balance of your soil so weeds and grass can not grow!  Really???? This seems like a very interesting experiment if you ask me.  Baking Soda is relatively inexpensive, not bad for the environment and did I say, cheap?
 As much as I love to garden, I have a hate affair with weeds.  I know weeding isn't really that fun for anyone.  But weeding in 94 degrees with 90% humidity and bugs, is not a blast in my book.  Weeds grow like gangbusters in Florida's tropical climate.  And they grow in the rocks I put down to stop the weeds from growing near my garden, very ironic I know.


 The grass in Florida is called St. Augustine grass, a fancy name for hard grass that thrives in a sandy, swampy environment.  We used to pull this stuff out of our lawn when I was growing up in Michigan.  In Michigan this is considered a weed.  Here it grows like a vine, and it is not fun to pull out.  What I wouldn't give for some lovely grass to walk barefoot in.  You people up north take you grass for granted. 

I spent the last two days pulling weeds and big sections of grass out of the rock bed.  I sprinkled on the baking soda and am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.  Maybe this Pinterest idea will work!  I will keep you informed.
***
My friend Teresa found a site that say Baking Soda in large quantities is very harmful for dogs, I have been very careful with Max before I found out this news, but will be more so now.   Keep this in mind before you try my experiment.
***

The last day of the Olympics is today.  Wow, has it been amazing.  Men's diving was fantastic yesterday.  I bet all the young girls in England were all gaga over young Tom Daily winning the bronze metal. My oldest told me all the girls are crazy about him  Well he is 18, cute, has an amazing accent, is an amazing diver, and has a really sad story about his Father passing away.  I was rooting for him, too.  Today I hope to catch the closing ceremonies as I missed the opening ceremonies. 

Have you enjoyed watching, too?

17 comments:

Kristen said...

I am anxiously awaiting the results of your baking soda experiment--that same grass is the bane of my existence.

I've done nothing but sit in front of my tv for two weeks, watching the Olympics. Why does water polo suddenly seem so important? I don't know, but it does. Back to normal tomorrow. Have a great day!

Rose said...

Ive been using white vinegar to kill weeds in the sidewalk cracks, but haven't heard about the baking Ida idea.

Kris said...

Do let us know about the baking soda tip!! I will buy it by the case!!
Love the diving too. I was a spring board diver in high school. I got to watch Greg Louganis practice. He was a
Amazing. Britains Tom d. Is an amazing up and coming diver. And so good looking taboot!
XO Kris

Anonymous said...

Let me know about that baking soda thing. Your weeds look a WHOLE LOT like MY weeds.

I love Pinterest too. I try not to worry so much about the legal stuff.

Floortje said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and writing those kind words, Meredith!
I love Pinterest too, but due to lack of time, I look at creative pins most of the time. I am very curious if the baking soda anti-weed tip helps! I think your garden and mine have the same problems....so let's keep our fingers crossed! Un abrazo (hug in Spanish), Floortje

Mrs. Micawber said...

St. Augustine grass looks an awful lot like what we call crabgrass up here - dreadful stuff! Good luck with the baking soda and let us know how it works.

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith-- if this works you'll have everyone of us running out to the grocery to buy up all of the baking soda!!! Let us know!!
Vicki

Ps-- I've loved every minute of the Olympics!

Unknown said...

I found this one one site I went to so don't know how true it is. But better safe then sorry. Of course it would have to be in large amounts. Article below:



Although not really foods, baking powder and baking soda are common items found in the kitchen. They are both leavening agents, used in baked goods to create a gas, which causes doughs and batters to rise.

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder combines baking soda with an acid of some kind, usually cream of tartar, sodium aluminum sulphate or calcium acid phosphate, or a combination of the three.

If your dog eats a large amount of either of these powders, he can suffer from electrolyte changes, muscle spasms and congestive heart failure.

Keep baking soda and baking powder out of your dog's reach. If you spill some on the floor, clean it up immediately.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

I am looking forward to the results of the baking soda vrs the weeds. That would be so awesome if it works..I might have to head to Sam's and buy it in bulk!

Susanne Tyree said...

have no clue if Baking Soda will keep the weeds away, so I am gonna be curious as to how it works for you. Please keep us posted on this. I did see the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and it was absolutely fabulous. WE should all be proud of what a great bunch of athletes our country has had to offer up to compete. Everyone from all over the world was awesome even if they did not win a metal. It takes a lot of hard work and determination, dedication, and love for the sport.
Susanne :)

deebriese said...

I am also anxious about your baking soda experiment. I use baking soda when I get heartburn. Instant relief. I also tried a pinterst recipie for baking soda, vinegar on grout worked great! I am also a florida girl.. West Coast Tarpon Springs!

Lillie and Moss said...

Can't wait to see if this little experiment really works. I am right there with you about pulling weeds..not my favorite thing!

Tammy said...

I don't do Pinterest since I get enough inspiration from blogging. I did try a tip I saw somewhere for getting stains out of clothes, but I'm guessing nothing would work on my 13 year old's under arm sweat stains because the soaking in hot water with baking soda and lemon juice did not work at all.

Since I live in an environment where it's hard for anything to grow, I say let the weeds be free and flourish! :)

Have a great week. Tammy

Liz said...

I'm a Pinterest addict. I try to use it and not just Pin it.
I am also an Olympics addict. I set the DVR every night and watched it until about 1 am...even the nights before work. I've been so sleep deprived. My faves were the gymnastics, swimming (Ryan Lochte is my favorite swimmer...such a cutie pie), and diving.

Tara said...

I have no idea about the baking soda to control weeds and grass. I hope it works for you though. But I do know that a pumice stone will remove the hard water ring from your toilets.

Gracie Saylor said...

Weeds...a common foe!!! I too am interested in learning the result of your experiment.
I am out of the loop in understanding the legal protests about Pinterest, but I guess I better research it since I use it a bit.
I only saw a few clips of the Olympics and got snatches of info in the newspaper and on line, but I love the positive aspects of the competitions and especially like to watch swimming and gymnastics.
Gracie x

Cache-Mire said...

Ahh...yes...as a fellow Floridian originally from the north, I also miss the grass and the lack of fire ants! I hope your solution works!!