Weeds can be the bane of a gardener’s life. Hedges can be a big problem when the growing season starts up again because they often grow faster than your fruit and vegetable plants. You’ll be overwhelmed as soon as you turn your back on the garden if you don’t regularly hoe annual weeds, hand-weed problem areas, and prepare the soil well.
Most weed killers sold in stores contain glyphosate, a chemical that has been linked to several cancer cases in the US. Glyphosate probably won’t be used in large enough amounts to hurt a home gardener, but you might still want to stay away from it. There is also research to suggest that glyphosate can adversely affect honey bees. It seems to change the microbes that live in the bees’ guts, which makes them more likely to get infections that can kill them.
You probably already have things like salt, vinegar, and lemon juice in your pantry that you could use to make your own weed killer.
We’ve put together a few suggestions for natural and homemade remedies that might make weeding easier. Keep in mind that these solutions aren’t as good at killing weeds as glyphosate and other weed killers that you can buy in stores. Because of this, it’s best to use more than one application over a few weeks, since one dose of homemade weed killer might not be enough to make the weed die. Always spray your homemade weed killer on a dry day, otherwise rain will wash it away.
As gardeners, we wage a constant battle against the onslaught of weeds trying to invade our lawns and flower beds. While commercial chemical weed killers provide fast and effective results, they come with environmental and health concerns. So for those seeking gentler, non-toxic methods, vinegar and baking soda together can make an excellent homemade weed killer.
This common pantry duo packs a one-two punch to naturally destroy weeds. In this article, we’ll explore
- How vinegar and baking soda work synergistically as herbicides
- Different recipes and ratios to mix them effectively
- When and how to apply for best weed control
- The benefits of this homemade option over harsh chemicals
- Limitations to be aware of when using vinegar and baking soda as weed killers
Arm yourself with vinegar and baking soda for a kinder, safer way to tame weeds!
Understanding the Synergy of Vinegar and Baking Soda
Individually, vinegar and baking soda both have mild weed-killing effects. But when combined, the acetic acid in vinegar and sodium bicarbonate in baking soda work together to dry out and destroy unwanted plants. Here’s a closer look at each one:
Vinegar The acetic acid damages cell membranes and induces dehydration in plant tissues Higher acidity levels make it more potent
Baking soda: A salt, baking soda draws moisture out of plant cells when administered directly. It also reacts with vinegar to form carbon dioxide, boosting the solution’s penetrating effects.
Mixing the two creates a solution that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The vinegar penetrates plant cuticles while the baking soda desiccates cell interiors. Even tougher perennials can succumb.
Mixing Recipes for Vinegar and Baking Soda Solutions
Most basic DIY weed killer recipes call for:
- 1 part baking soda
- 2 parts vinegar
However, you can adjust ratios for stronger solutions up to:
- 1 part baking soda
- 3 parts vinegar
Always use white distilled vinegar over other types like cider or malt vinegar. And select baking soda rather than baking powder.
For small batches mix 1 cup vinegar with 1⁄2 cup baking soda. Scale up as needed to fill spray bottles or watering cans. Mix just before use, as the solution doesn’t store well. Adding a few drops of lemon juice can increase acidity.
When and How to Apply Vinegar and Baking Soda Solutions
To treat weeds with your homemade vinegar-baking soda recipe:
- Spray weeds on a sunny, dry day to prevent wash off.
- Target young annual weeds for best effects.
- Thoroughly coat all foliage and stems.
- Reapply weekly until weeds are desiccated.
- Avoid contacting desired plants; solution can damage them.
- Use a funnel when pouring into applicators to avoid splashes.
Repeat applications are likely needed for tougher weeds. Be patient and consistent for best results.
Benefits of Using Vinegar and Baking Soda Weed Killers
Compared to commercial weed killers containing glyphosate and other harsh chemicals, vinegar and baking soda solutions offer several advantages:
Safer for people, pets, and the environment – Made from common kitchen ingredients, they avoid toxic exposures when applied properly.
Won’t harm soil microbiology – Vinegar dissipates quickly without altering soil pH or beneficial microbial activity.
Inexpensive and convenient – Both are budget-friendly items easily purchased at any grocery store.
Easy to control application – Mixing small batches allows precise targeting of weeds.
Doesn’t lead to herbicide resistance – Weeds can’t build tolerance to vinegar and baking soda solutions.
For an all-natural, non-toxic weed control option, vinegar and baking soda make the perfect partners.
Limitations to Consider When Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
While this homemade blend has many benefits, be aware of a few limitations:
- Works best on young, annual weeds vs. established perennials
- Multiple applications usually needed for best weed control
- Avoid windy conditions that may spread solutions to non-target areas
- Can potentially damage lawn grass and garden plants if overapplied
- Vinegar smell lingers for a short period after application
With spot treatment and repeated use, vinegar and baking soda solutions provide an effective way to check pesky weeds without nasty chemical residues. Just take care to minimize contact with valued plants.
An Age-Old Weed Control Duo – Vinegar and Baking Soda
Sometimes the old ways truly are the best, as proven by vinegar and baking soda’s potent partnership. Keep this dynamic homemade duo handy whenever weeds pop up where they’re not wanted. With no need for harsh toxins, you can tackle garden invaders gently and safely. Let vinegar and baking soda help you gain the upper hand against weeds!
Salt weed killer recipe
Salt, or sodium chloride, can be very bad for plants if used in large amounts because it dries them out. That being said, salt is bad for the garden because it will kill other plants and change the pH of the soil. You should only use it on paths and paving because of this, and make sure it doesn’t seep into nearby soil. To work as a weedkiller, the salt must be dissolved in water. You can increase the strength of the solution if you need to.
Salt weed killer recipe:
- One part household table salt
- Two or three parts water (do not use Epsom salts, rock salt, or sea salt)
Suitable for: Paths, paving, patios, driveways
Our verdict: Cheap and easy.
Kill weeds using boiling water
Boiling water can kill weeds. For paths and paving, where you don’t have to worry about plants nearby being hurt, this method works great. It can also be used on weeds in a border, but be careful not to get it on plants you want to keep. Save energy by using the water that you’ve just used for boiling vegetables.
Useful for: Paths, patios, paving, cracks in driveways, borders, isolated patches of weeds
Our verdict: Very easy, convenient and cheap.
Vinegar vs Baking Soda Weed Killer Comparison
FAQ
Does baking soda kill weeds permanently?
How does vinegar and Dawn dish soap kill weeds?
What is the ratio of baking soda to water for weed killer?
How do you kill weeds with vinegar and baking soda?
A spray made of vinegar and baking soda is a doubly effective method for killing weeds by burning leaves and dehydrating plants through their roots. Use 1 part baking soda to 2 parts vinegar. Pour the baking soda into the spray bottle first, then add the vinegar.
How effective is a bee sting salve made of baking soda and water?
Washing the bee sting site with baking soda water can reduce swelling and pain in the affected area because it neutralizes the poisonous components. However, the first priority is to wash the sting site thoroughly with running water and soap to remove the poisonous components and prevent bacteria from entering the sting site.
How do you use vinegar weed killer?
Fill a container with 1 gallon of white vinegar. Add one tablespoon of dish soap to the vinegar. Optional: Pour in 1 cup of salt. Mix the solution thoroughly until ingredients are well combined. Pour your desired amount into a garden sprayer. Adding salt to a vinegar weed killer is optional, but it can give the solution an extra boost.
Is baking soda good for weed control?
‘Baking soda, when used for weed control, would be considered a non-selective type of weed control. This means that no matter if it is a weedy plant or a grass plant for example, baking soda will have similar effects on both the desirable and non-desirable plant species,’ says Rob Palmer, lawn expert at Lawn Squad.
