Homemade Stump Killer

Cutting down a tree leaves an unsightly stump in the middle of your yard or landscape. A stump not only interferes with many landscaping projects, it also can sprout new growth. According to Pückler Muskau, author of "Hints on Landscape Gardening," commercial stump killer chemicals are not only expensive, but are often harmful to animals and surrounding vegetation. You can make a less-invasive homemade stump- killer for a fraction of the cost.

Electric hand drill
1/2 inch drill bit
2 cups of crushed rock salt
2 cups of water
Blender

Instructions

- 1
  Drill 10 to 20 holes into the top of the stump with a half-inch drill bit. Make the holes at least half as deep as the exposed stump is high.
- 2
  Put 1 cup of crushed rock salt and two cups of hot water into a blender. Blend on high until the salt completely dissolves into the water.
- 3
  Pour the rock salt and water mixture into the holes in the stump.
- 4
  Let the water soak into the stump overnight.
- 5
  Sprinkle 1 cup of crushed rock salt into the holes the following morning.
- 6
  Repeat the salt application process once every three months if you would like to rot the stump away. According to "Better Homes and Gardens," if you intend simply to kill the stump and stop further growth, one application will do the job.

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