Vinegar water against weeds is said to permanently combat wild plants. But which mixing ratio is the best and promises quick results? A study should provide the answer.
Is the use of vinegar-water solutions against weeds permitted?
For now: The use of vinegar on sealed, paved surfaces such as terraces and garden paths is strictly prohibited. Although use in the garden is permitted in certain cases, you should contact the local authorities to be on the safe side. In most federal states, its use is clearly regulated and if vinegar is used at all, it should be of food quality. This means that you can only use table vinegar with a maximum of 5% acetic acid. However, vinegar essence contains at least 25% acetic acid and is therefore banned in some federal states. So to be on the safe side, always ask first.
Vinegar water against weeds: How effective are acetic acid and vinegar essence solutions really?
Vinegar is touted as a miracle cure for weeds - but has its effectiveness been scientifically proven? And has anyone even tested which mixing ratio for vinegar water against weeds promises the best results?
USDA – Agriculture Research Service has the resultsa studypublished regarding the effectiveness of various vinegar solutions. Different mixing ratios and their effects on wild plants were tested.
Vinegar against weeds: The most effective mixing ratio
The researchers first tested the plants with a spray of vinegar 5% acid and water in a 1 to 3 mixing ratio. This concentration was sufficient to combat young plants. For older plants, 1 part vinegar (5% acetic acid) and 2 parts water were added to a spray bottle. This mixing ratio was over 85%effective against weeds. Regular table vinegar was used for the experiment.
When treating, you should first be patient - if the wild plants grow in the sun, it can take a few hours to a few days for the vinegar to take effect. The plants in shady places die after about 10 days.
Properly dilute vinegar essence against weeds
In principle, you can also treat the area with diluted vinegar essence. A mixing ratio of 1 part vinegar essence and 20 parts water will help with young plants that have not yet developed their roots. For older plants, a solution of vinegar essence and water in a ratio of 1 to 16 works well.
Vinegar water against weeds: What else you need to consider
1. When treating, first spray the leaves of the plants from above and below. Then wet all parts of the plant above ground.
2. Never pour the spray directly into the root area of the plants or never spray the soil with it! You definitely want to avoid the vinegar water seeping away.
3. Choose a sunny week for treatment. Water nearby garden plants the day before treatment. Avoid watering the plants around the weeds after treatment. Otherwise, the water could wash away the vinegar. On the one hand, the wild plants will continue to grow, and on the other hand, the vinegar water can seep into the ground.
4. For particularly quick results, you can briefly boil the vinegar water and spray it on the wild plants.
5. The use of vinegar on paved surfaces is prohibited by law. Depending on the federal state and region, there may also be additional regulations for homemade weed killers. It is best to find out locally whether and which uses of vinegar are permitted.
Vinegar is a food that has numerous uses in the home. In the garden you should only use it specifically and handle it very carefully. Firstly, because many uses are prohibited and secondly because vinegar water could seep into the groundwater.
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