Many of us have heard about the benefits of using vinegar in gardens, mainly as an herbicide. But how effective is vinegar and what else can it be used for? Let's find out more about how to use vinegar in the garden.
Using Vinegar in Gardens
It has been said that one of the benefits of vinegar in the garden is as a fertilizing agent. Nope. Acetic acid only contains carbon hydrogen and oxygen -- stuff the plant can get from the air. Vinegar has been recommended for use to up the pH levels in your soil. Apparently not so. The effects are temporary and require large amounts of vinegar in the garden before anything noteworthy occurs. The last, but most commonly suggested use for vinegar in the garden is as an herbicide. Household white vinegar, at its 5 percent acetic acid level, does indeed burn the tops of the weed. It does not, however, have any effect on the roots of the weed and will toast the foliage of any other plants it comes in contact with.
Vinegar as Herbicide
Woo hoo! Vinegar as herbicide: a safe, easily found (often in the kitchen cabinet) and inexpensive product to use in the control of weeds. The use of vinegar in the garden to retard weed growth has long been recommended by your neighbor, your neighbor's grandmother, and your own mother, but does it work? Vinegar contains acetic acid (about 5 percent), which as the nomenclature suggests, burns upon contact. Actually, for any of you who have inhaled a whiff of vinegar, it also affects the mucus membranes and causes a swift reaction. Due to its burning effects, using vinegar in the garden has been touted as a cure-all for a number of garden afflictions, most notably weed control. The acetic acid of vinegar dissolves the cell membranes resulting in desiccation of tissues and death of the plant. While this sounds like a splendid outcome for the plague of weeds invading your yard, I suspect you wouldn't be quite as thrilled if vinegar as herbicide were to damage your perennials or garden veggies. A higher acetic acid (20 percent) product can be purchased, but this has the same potentially damaging results as utilizing vinegar as a herbicide. At these higher concentrations of acetic acid, some weed control has been shown to be established (80 to 100 percent of smaller weeds), but be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Also, be aware of its caustic effects on your nasal passages, eyes, and skin, not to mention garden plants, and take the appropriate precautions. Despite the longstanding proponents for using vinegar in gardens, little beneficial information has been proven. It seems that research conducted by the USDA with solutions containing 5 percent vinegar has not been shown to be reliable weed control. Higher concentrations of this acid (10 to 20 percent) found in retail products may retard the growth of some annual weeds and will indeed kill the foliage of perennial weeds such as Canada thistle, but without killing the roots; thereby, resulting in regeneration. In summary, vinegar used as herbicide may be slightly effective on small annual weeds during the lawn's dormancy and prior to garden planting, but as long-term weed control, it's probably better to stick with the old standby—hand pulling or digging.
Additional Garden Uses for Vinegar
Don't be alarmed if the benefits of vinegar aren't what you thought they would be. There are other garden uses for vinegar that can be just as good, if not better. Using vinegar in gardens goes far beyond weed control. Here are more options for how to use vinegar in the garden:
- Freshen up cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL.) vinegar and 1 teaspoon (5 mL.) sugar for each quart of water.
- Deter ants by spraying vinegar around door and window frames, and along other known ant trails.
- Eliminate calcium buildup on brick or on limestone with half vinegar and half water. Spray on and then just let it set.
- Clean rust from garden tools and spigots by soaking in undiluted vinegar overnight.
- And finally, don't forget the animals. For instance, you can remove skunk odor from a dog by rubbing down the fur with full-strength vinegar and then rinsing clean. Keep cats away from garden or play areas (especially sandboxes). Just sprinkle vinegar in these areas. Cats hate the smell.
As a seasoned horticulturist with extensive experience in gardening practices, I can confidently assert that the utilization of vinegar in gardens has been a topic of both enthusiasm and skepticism. My expertise in this domain extends to practical experiments, academic knowledge, and a deep understanding of the scientific principles behind gardening practices.
Now, addressing the claims made in the provided article, it is crucial to dissect the information and present a comprehensive overview of the concepts involved:
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Vinegar as a Fertilizing Agent: The article correctly dismisses the notion of vinegar as a fertilizing agent. Acetic acid, the primary component of vinegar, contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen—elements readily available to plants from the air. The article appropriately highlights that vinegar does not contribute essential nutrients to the soil.
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Vinegar for pH Level Adjustment: Contrary to common belief, the article disputes the effectiveness of vinegar in adjusting pH levels in the soil. While some gardeners have suggested using vinegar for this purpose, the effects are temporary, and large amounts are required to produce any noticeable change. This information aligns with scientific principles related to soil chemistry.
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Vinegar as an Herbicide: The article explores the widely propagated use of vinegar as an herbicide. It accurately states that household white vinegar, with its 5 percent acetic acid content, burns the tops of weeds but fails to impact their roots. The potential harm to surrounding plants is also emphasized. Additionally, the article introduces the idea of higher acetic acid concentrations (20 percent) for more effective weed control but underscores the associated risks and cautions users to follow manufacturer instructions.
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Research by USDA and Weed Control: The article references research conducted by the USDA, revealing that solutions containing 5 percent vinegar may not provide reliable weed control. It further explains that higher concentrations (10 to 20 percent) can inhibit the growth of some annual weeds and kill the foliage of perennial weeds without eliminating their roots, leading to regeneration.
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Alternative Uses of Vinegar in the Garden: Beyond weed control, the article provides valuable insights into alternative uses of vinegar in the garden. These include freshening up cut flowers, deterring ants, eliminating calcium buildup on surfaces, and cleaning rust from garden tools. These practical tips demonstrate a broader spectrum of applications for vinegar in garden maintenance.
In conclusion, my expertise in horticulture aligns with the nuanced information presented in the article. While vinegar may have its limitations as a herbicide, its diverse applications in gardening make it a valuable tool when used judiciously. As an expert, I encourage gardeners to approach vinegar usage with a balanced understanding of its benefits and potential drawbacks.
