Deirdre O Meara 
Social media has become a hub for lawn care hacks, but not all of them are worth trying. According to Simon Barker, co-founder and editor at GrowYourYard.com, some tricks can actually harm your lawn. Barker explained to The U.S. Sun that while some methods are effective, others are downright bad. He said, “I’ve seen lots of social media tricks and hacks that people use for their lawns. Some of these tricks can actually be surprisingly effective, while others are downright bad and can actually harm your lawn.”
One of the hacks that Barker found to be effective is using baking soda to control weeds. Baking soda is a natural herbicide that can be applied directly to weeds to kill them. The method is cheap, effective, and safe for the environment. Simply mix baking soda with water and dish soap, apply to the weeds, and wait for them to die. Another trick that he found to work well is using coffee grounds as a fertilizer. Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, which is essential for healthy grass growth. Simply sprinkle the coffee grounds on your lawn and water them in.
Barker also noted that Epsom salt can be used to boost grass growth. Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and sulfur, which are essential nutrients for plant growth. Sprinkle a few handfuls of Epsom salt onto your lawn and water it in. However, there is one ingredient that Barker warns people to stay away from, and that is vinegar. While vinegar can be effective at killing weeds, it can also damage the surrounding grass and plants. Additionally, vinegar is highly acidic and can lower the pH of your soil, making it difficult for your grass to grow in the spot the weed used to be.
The worst hack that Barker has ever seen is people using gasoline to kill weeds. He warns that gasoline is unreasonably dangerous and will harm your lawn and the surrounding environment. Barker advises that while some online advice can be “surprisingly effective,” it’s always a good idea to fact-check them. “Some will just do more harm than good,” he said.
Barker has previously shared advice on how to make compost tea, a “natural fertilizer” that’s easy to make. He also gave tips on getting your lawn ready for warm weather and reducing dead spots. With the rise of social media, it’s important to be cautious of the lawn care hacks that are being shared online. While some may work, others can be harmful to your lawn and the environment. It’s always best to do your research and fact-check before trying any new methods.
