Homemade weed killers are very popular with some gardening enthusiasts because these products are considered to be more environmentally friendly and inexpensive. Vinegar and salt are often mentioned in this context. But how much salt should be added to the vinegar and is it even allowed to make your own weed killers? We answer these and other questions in the following article.

Salt and vinegar are anything but harmless home remedies

How does the vinegar and salt mixture work?

The acetic acid draws moisture from the leaves of the plant. This effect is reinforced by the salt, which has an osmotic effect and dries out the leaves of the weed plants. Having penetrated the soil, vinegar and salt cause the root hairs to dry up and the weeds can no longer absorb water.

Which mixing ratio is suitable?

Mix in a spray bottle:

  • ¼ liter of water,
  • ¼ liter of vinegar,
  • 3 tablespoons table salt,
  • 1 drop of dish soap.

Stir or shake well until the salt has completely dissolved.

Caution: When using this you are moving in a legal gray area

The Plant Protection Act prohibits the use of preparations that are not approved as plant protection agents. This also includes the mixture of vinegar and salt, 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. Salt in particular, which has to be applied in high concentrations in order to have an effect, can severely damage other plants.

Penetrating the soil, the active ingredients not only attack the roots of unwanted weeds, but also those of ornamental and useful plants. With regular use, the substances can accumulate in the soil so that salt-sensitive plants such as strawberries or rhododendrons no longer thrive in this area.

Where is homemade weed killer allowed?

The use of salt and vinegar on sealed surfaces such as the garage entrance or the garden path is prohibited. Irrespective of the mixing ratio, the agents cannot be broken down here and get into the groundwater, where they can cause considerable problems in the sewage treatment plant. Violators face high fines.

In the lawn or in the flower bed, you are allowed to use salt and vinegar. However, keep in mind that decorative and useful plants can also be damaged and use the product with caution for the reasons already mentioned.

What alternatives are there?

First of all, it is worthwhile to change your own view of weeds from an environmental point of view. For example, nettles, settled in a secluded corner of the garden, are a valuable habitat for many insects and butterflies. It may not even be necessary to always remove weeds directly.

You can manually remove unwanted green that is spreading in the vegetable patch or in the cracks in the pavement slabs. This work is best done after rain when the ground is soft.

Weeds can be killed well with heat, for example from gas or electric appliances or simply hot water. The high-pressure cleaner (€119.90) or electrically operated brush devices also support you in the fight against weeds.

tips

Soil life can be severely disturbed by vinegar and salt. Therefore, if you want to use acetic acid as a herbicide, you should preferably use appropriate preparations from specialist retailers.

Category:

Herbs