Trending recipes for homemade vinegar weed killer pepper the internet, but their effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and safety are often up for debate. Not only will we show you how to make a vinegar weed killer that works, but we’ll also discuss the pros and cons of taking this homemade approach.
First off, that household vinegar in your kitchen cabinet might not be strong enough to tackle the lawn weeds. You’ll likely need vinegar with a higher acetic acid content. And you can leave behind the borax and conventional dish soap that some vinegar herbicide recipes call for (these ingredients aren’t so eco-friendly).
You are watching: How to Make a Vinegar Weed Killer
Ready to make an effective vinegar weed killer? We’ve got you covered.
The trick to creating an effective weed killer is using vinegar with the right acetic acid content. The acetic acid affects the cell membranes of any plant it comes in contact with, effectively damaging foliage tissue. The vinegar works by desiccating, or dehydrating, the foliage tissue on contact.
Household vinegar is 5% acetic acid, but this concentration of acetic acid is only strong enough to kill young weeds with one to two leaves. According to the University of Maryland Extension, weeds with three to four leaves are likely to survive acetic acid levels between 5% and 10%.
To control the large weeds in your lawn and vegetable garden, use a horticultural-grade vinegar with higher acetic acid concentrations (no more than 20%).
Read more : Goat Milk Baby Formula {Recipe}
Here’s a DIY vinegar herbicide recipe listed on the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides’ website. Combine these two simple ingredients in a garden sprayer with the following ratio:
Pro Tip: Weeds wilt even faster if you spray on a sunny day.
Homemade vinegar herbicides are popular among people who want to avoid spraying synthetic chemicals on their lawn and garden. While it’s possible to find an all-natural herbicide recipe, some recipes aren’t as “natural” or “organic” as they claim to be. In other words, vinegar weed killer recipes have many benefits, but it’s good to be aware of their shortcomings, too.
Yes, a homemade vinegar weed killer can be effective depending on its acetic acid content, the weed’s type and age, and how much weed killer is applied. Control might fail if you attempt to remove a large weed with household vinegar.
On the other hand, horticultural vinegar higher than 10% acetic acid can provide effective control against young and old weeds.
And, of course, you will need to apply your vinegar weed killer whenever you see interlopers sprouting in your yard.
Homemade herbicide vs. store-bought herbicide isn’t necessarily a case of good vs. evil. Eco-friendliness and safety are often associated with homemade herbicides, while harmful synthetic chemicals are associated with store-bought herbicides.
Read more : How to Make DIY Dawn Powerwash Refill
But it’s not always that black and white. Believe it or not, some store-bought weed killers are safer for you and the planet than some recipes you might find online.
In-store organic herbicides often contain chemicals that exist in nature and are easy on the environment. On the other hand, some homemade recipes call for synthetic ingredients, such as dishwashing soap, or ingredients poisonous when ingested, like borax.
So, should you treat your weeds with homemade vinegar weed killer or store-bought weed killer? Neither is necessarily better than the other, and both can achieve the same goal of being eco-friendly. Horticultural vinegar does come with safety hazards, but whipping up your own solution might save you a few bucks.
Pro Tip: When shopping in-store, look for organic products certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).
Here’s the thing about vinegar and other organic herbicides – they won’t always kill weed roots, which means the weed can resprout with ease. While a vinegar application kills the weed’s foliage, it’s not unusual to see a new sprout taking its place.
Attacking the same weed over and over is no way to spend your free time. Hire a local lawn care professional who can do the grunt work for you while you enjoy your yard weed-free.
Main Image Credit: karenfoleyphotography / Canva Pro / License
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe
For all my beauties with dark inner thighs, armpits, bikini area and spots, etc, this…
Are you a passionate cook aspiring to embark on a rewarding culinary journey? Whether you're…
Discover the perfect wall colors to complement your grey kitchen cabinets, creating a harmonious and…
Generally, a 10×10 kitchen remodel ranges from $15,000 to $45,000, but several factors could cause…
Sleek and durable, quartz countertops are the latest trend in kitchen and bathroom renovation. Comparable…
IKEA kitchens are designed to be as simple as possible to assemble and install yourself.…