Hi Bev, If you want to remove the root and all then I suggest hand pulling the weeds or using a hoe to uproot the weeds. Using vinegar or salt can sterilize the soil and upset the life balance of the living soil organisms so I do not consider either of those more environmentally friendly than Roundup. A thick mulch on top of a layer of newspaper or cardboard can also smother most weeds. Keep growing.....and weeding, Marianne Binetti