Probably everyone knows this: As soon as you have laboriously weeded weeds, they sprout again and overgrow beds and lawns. Magnesium sulfate and apple cider vinegar are two frequently mentioned home remedies that are said to be helpful in the fight against weeds. In this article we check whether this is actually the case.
Do magnesium sulfate and apple cider vinegar work against weeds?
A mixture of magnesium sulfate and apple cider vinegar is not recommended for destroying weeds, as magnesium sulfate serves as a lawn fertilizer and vinegar damages not only weeds but also surrounding plants and soil organisms. Use targeted weed control methods instead.
What is magnesium sulfate?
It is an odorless and colorless substance that is also known by the common name Epsom s alt because of its characteristic bitter taste. It is commercially available as a fine powder or in crystalline form. As a fertilizer, magnesium sulfate only supplies the nutrients magnesium (15 percent) and sulfur.
Is a mixture of Epsom s alt and apple cider vinegar suitable for killing weeds?
A mixture of vinegar and s alt is often recommended as a weed killer. However, the s alt mentioned in this context is table s alt and not magnesium sulfate.
Vinegar causes weeds to die because it penetrates and destroys the plant's cell membranes. However, you need a relatively high concentration for this effect to occur reliably.
The disadvantage: Vinegar not only damages weeds, but also all surrounding plants and soil organisms. For this reason, you should refrain from using apple cider vinegar to kill weeds.
Epsom s alt: Valuable lawn fertilizer
The necessary mowing permanently removes nutrients from the lawn. That's why it's important to regularly supply the green carpet with nutrients. In a densely grown green area, weed plants such as dandelions or weed have almost no chance of spreading.
If the magnesium levels in the soil are too low, the lawn will suffer from a magnesium deficiency. Typical of this is the whitening of leaves known as chlorosis. The grass no longer looks rich green, but yellow. Over time, the dense area develops holes in which weeds can settle.
Fertilizing with Epsom S alt
You can apply Epsom s alt from April. Beforehand, you should carefully cut out all the weeds in the lawn.
- You can dissolve the Epsom s alt directly in water. To do this, add about 2 percent magnesium sulfate to the water.
- Alternatively, sprinkle the crystals or powder and soak thoroughly.
Tip
A soil test is recommended before applying magnesium sulfate. Often there is not only a pure magnesium deficiency, but also other nutrients. After a soil test you can then fertilize specifically.
