Homemade weed killer is very popular with some gardening enthusiasts because these products are considered more environmentally friendly and inexpensive. Vinegar and s alt are often mentioned in this context. But how much s alt should be added to the vinegar and is it even allowed to make your own weed killer? We answer these and other questions in the following article.
What is the mixing ratio of s alt and vinegar against weeds?
The recommended mixing ratio of s alt and vinegar against weeds consists of ¼ liter of water, ¼ liter of vinegar, 3 tablespoons of table s alt and a drop of dishwashing liquid. However, the use of this mixture is in a legal gray area as it is not approved as a plant protection product.
How does the mixture of vinegar and s alt work?
The acetic acid draws moisture from the plant's leaves. This effect is reinforced by the s alt, which has an osmotic effect and dries out the foliage of the weed plants. When vinegar and s alt penetrate the soil, the root hairs dry out and the weeds can no longer absorb water.
Which mixing ratio is suitable?
Mix in a spray bottle:
- ¼ liters of water,
- ¼ liter of vinegar,
- 3 tablespoons of table s alt,
- 1 drop of dishwashing liquid.
Stir or shake well until the s alt has completely dissolved.
Attention: When using it, you are moving in a legal gray area
The Plant Protection Act prohibits the use of preparations that are not approved as plant protection products. This also includes mixing vinegar and s alt, regardless of the mixing ratio.
This is because home remedies are often much more harmful to the environment than tried and tested weed killers from specialist retailers. S alt in particular, which must be applied in high concentration to achieve an effect, can severely damage other plants.
Once they penetrate the soil, the active ingredients not only attack the roots of unwanted weeds, but also those of ornamental and useful plants. If used regularly, the substances can accumulate in the soil so that s alt-sensitive plants such as strawberries or rhododendrons no longer thrive in this area.
Where is home-made weed killer allowed?
The use of s alt and vinegar is prohibited on sealed surfaces such as the garage entrance or the garden path. Here, regardless of the mixing ratio, the agents cannot be broken down and end up in the groundwater, where they can cause significant problems in the sewage treatment plant. Violations can result in high fines.
You can use s alt and vinegar in the lawn or flower bed. However, keep in mind that ornamental and useful plants can also be damaged and use the product carefully for the reasons already mentioned.
What alternatives are there?
First of all, from an environmental perspective, it is worth changing your view of weeds. For example, nettles that have settled in a secluded corner of the garden are a valuable habitat for many insects and butterflies. Perhaps it is not necessary to always remove weeds directly.
You can remove unwanted greenery that is spreading in the vegetable patch or in the cracks in the paving slabs manually. This work is best done after rain when the ground is soft.
Weeds can be easily destroyed using heat, for example using gas or electricity-powered devices (€39.00 on Amazon) or simply using hot water. The high-pressure cleaner or electrically operated brush devices also support you in the fight against weeds.
Tip
Vinegar and s alt can seriously disrupt soil life. Therefore, if you want to use acetic acid as a herbicide, it is best to use appropriate preparations from specialist retailers.
