When most people hear the word citric acid, they think of delicious, sour citrus fruits and therefore assume that this product is naturally derived and therefore environmentally friendly. In the following article we look at the effects of citric acid on plants and why this remedy is not as harmless to the ecosystem as one might think.

Citric acid is not intended for use in the garden

What is citric acid

Citric acid, which must be declared as E330 for food, is an industrially manufactured product. It is added to fruit juices but also to confectionery or jam. Liquid or crystalline citric acid is used to descale household appliances.

Frequently recommended home remedy for weed control

As the name suggests, citric acid contains a lot of acid. Dissolved in water and sprayed on weeds, the agent causes the plants to die reliably.

However, you should refrain from using it because, like vinegar and salt, the application of citric acid is by no means ecologically sensible and can cause great damage.

The Plant Protection Act prohibits its use

Citric acid has a negative effect on soil pH. Soil organisms can no longer survive in the resulting acidic environment. As a result, the formation of humus is inhibited. In addition, acidic soil can absorb fewer nutrients and pollutants and the entire soil structure is destroyed.

The law even prohibits the use of citric acid on paved surfaces. If you apply the product to green areas, you are in a difficult legal situation and may have to expect high penalties.

Eco-friendly alternatives

There are many ways to remove weeds that are significantly better for the environment than citric acid:

  • Mechanical weeding with weed puller, goat's foot or pendulum hoe.
  • You can get rid of individual weed plants on paved surfaces with hot water.
  • You can tackle wild plants growing in the cracks of paving stones with a joint scraper, a flame-flame device or a high-pressure cleaner (€119.90).
  • Weed fleece (€21.70) or newspaper as a weed barrier in the beds ensure that the planted areas remain weed-free.

tips

If you are annoyed by lawn weeds, it is worth investing a little time in lawn care. Through regular mowing and occasional fertilizer application, the green forms such a dense scar that wild herbs can no longer settle.

Category:

Herbs