Vinegar is a jack-of-all-trades around the home. In addition to the zip it adds to pickles and many other favorite recipes, it's an effective window cleaner, disinfectant, stain remover, and more. But did you know that it's also very effective in the garden? Yes, using vinegar weed killer can help control weeds, which can be a win-win if you're looking for products that are less harsh on the environment than many synthetic herbicides. However, you wouldn't want to use this acidic liquid in all areas of your landscape because it could damage any plant it touches.
Here's what you need to know to effectively use vinegar for weed control in your yard.
What Kind of Vinegar to Use
Regular white vinegar in the store ($4, Walmart) is 5% vinegar (acetic acid) and 95% water. While this can be used as a vinegar weed killer, it has several limitations. It works best on small, annual weeds that are less than two weeks old, and it will often require several applications to do the job.
You can up its efficacy by adding a cup of table salt and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap to a gallon of white vinegar. Usually, this mixture only kills the tops of the target weeds, leaving the roots that can regrow new shoots. And be aware that salt build-up in the soil from repeatedly using this homemade solution can mean nothing will grow in that area.
Household vinegar doesn't work well when sprayed on older weeds, perennials, or grasses. Drenching the roots will likely be required (fall is a good time to do this), and even then, it probably wouldn't have much effect. To get rid of tough, perennial weeds, a 20% vinegar solution is best. This type of vinegar, sometimes called horticultural vinegar ($25, The Home Depot), can be found at garden centers, farm stores, or online.
The safest places to use vinegar weed killer are between concrete seams in sidewalks, mulch or gravel paths, and driveways. It's usually easy to spray the vinegar in these areas without getting it on other plants. As with any weed killer, select a day that is at least 70°F and sunny to apply it. The substance will be most effective when plants are actively photosynthesizing. Avoid days that are windy or rainy. Wind can carry the vinegar to places you don't want it. Rain weakens it, diluting its effectiveness.
As with any weed killer or harsh material, follow safety precautions when using higher concentrations of vinegar: Don't get it on your skin or your eyes, and don't ingest it. Unlike household vinegar, the higher concentrated kinds of vinegar can burn the skin, harm the eyes, and cause bronchitis if inhaled.
Always read and follow the label directions for personal protections requirements and safe handling for all herbicides.
Vinegar is non-selective, meaning it will damage any plants and turf grass it touches, not just the weeds you are trying to kill. When you spray the vinegar onto weeds, make sure it isn't hitting other plants. If that isn't possible, paint the vinegar onto the weeds with a brush. Make sure the vinegar makes contact with all the foliage. The acetic acid in the vinegar will burn and dry out the leaves.
For a couple of days after applying the vinegar weed killer, you can expect the area to smell like a salad dressing exploded all over your yard. On the plus side, that powerful scent can deter deer, rabbits, and other pesky critters from entering your garden for a while. Wait at least two weeks before spraying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take vinegar to kill weeds?
When used on the right kind of weeds, vinegar works within 24 hours.
Is vinegar safe to use as a weed killer around pets and small children?
Yes, it's safe. Vinegar won't harm either children or pets.
Will vinegar harm insects or other wildlife?
It can kill ants, spiders, and mosquitos. Vinegar can be lethal to bees, so if you grow plants to attract pollinators to your garden, it's better not to use vinegar to kill weeds where they grow.
Will vinegar weed killer damage concrete, metal, wood, or other surfaces?
Vinegar is an acid and can damage wood and marble, so it's a good idea to not spray it near planters or patios with these surfaces.
You can up its efficacy by adding a cup of table salt and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap to a gallon of white vinegar. Usually, this mixture only kills the tops of the target weeds, leaving the roots that can regrow new shoots.
Typically, you'll want to use white vinegar as it tends to be the most effective and you can apply it with a spray bottle. Mix the vinegar with dish soap and a cup of salt and you'll be good to spray the weeds all around. Keep in mind that you might need to do it more than once in order to get the full effect.
But the science is in and experts have spoken: Using vinegar to kill weeds just isn't worth it. For one, it may not be the effective weed killer you had hoped for. And some vinegar weed killers could even be dangerous.
It permanently kills only broadleaf weeds allowing the growth of perennials and grasses. It hampers the above-ground growth without affecting the root systems.
Combine four parts vinegar to one part water. Add about an ounce of dish soap to a gallon of the mixture. Mix well in a spray bottle or other container (if you are not spraying the mix).
The acetic acid in even household vinegar was MORE toxic than Roundup! Going one step further, in this case a comparison of rate of application is a moot point. A 1% solution of glyphosate will kill most any annual weed listed on the label, and also the majority of perennial weeds.
The main ingredient in natural organic homemade weed killer is apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar includes acetic acid, which kills weeds. As the apple cider vinegar mixed in water, this solution will effectively kill weeds.
Vinegar with a higher concentration of acetic acid tends to control weeds more effectively. Household vinegar is generally 5% acetic acid. Some herbicidal vinegar products are 20% or 30% acetic acid. In general, 20% or 30% acetic acid is more effective because it more completely kills young leaves and growing points.
Depending on the solution concentration, the vinegar and salt combination kills the top growth in about two hours. What kills weeds down to the root? While vinegar solutions may kill the top growth within a few hours, it might take days for the roots to die off. Boiling water is an effective way to kill weed roots.
Mixing vinegar with Epsom salts and Dawn liquid dish soap can make a safe, effective weed killer. The more concentrated the vinegar is, the more effective it will be at killing weeds. If the vinegar is too diluted or if you use your vinegar solution in inclement weather, you won't get good results.
Combine distilled white vinegar, salt, and liquid dish soap in your garden sprayer or a spray bottle. Use horticultural vinegar for additional strength. Spray the leaves and stems of the weeds with your solution on a calm sunny day. Reapply the vinegar solution every 2–3 days until the weeds die out.
Vinegar – pickling vinegar contains 9% acetic acid but white vinegar as well as apple cider vinegar work as well; spray only on weeds as it will also kill other plants. Vinegar solution – equal parts of vinegar, salt, and dish soap; spray only on weeds as it will kill whatever plant it touches.
Yes, using vinegar weed killer can help control weeds, which can be a win-win if you're looking for products that are less harsh on the environment than many synthetic herbicides. However, you wouldn't want to use this acidic liquid in all areas of your landscape because it could damage any plant it touches.
Household vinegar isn't strong enough to kill larger weeds. You'll likely need to buy a horticultural-grade vinegar at your local garden shop. Most horticultural vinegars are 15% to 20% acetic acid.
Vinegar should only be used for 30 minutes on polished concrete. Leaving it for an extended time will kill algae and damage the cement in the concrete. But for unfinished cement, you can surely use vinegar for an extended period. It is safe and will be the most efficient cleaning agent to remove algae.
Flame weeding is a fantastic way to kill weeds permanently. It's as effective as herbicides and manual weeding and has many advantages. The heat boils water in the plant's cells, causing them to burst.
Salt: Spreading iodized salt on the gravel will kill weeds, but it will sterilize the ground for years to come, so use it sparingly. Boiling Water: Another way to kill weeds naturally is to pour boiling water over them. By Hand: If there aren't many weeds in your gravel, it's best to pull weeds out by hand.
Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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