In gardening and horticulture, it is still very common to resort to tricks and home remedies for plant care, because it turns out that these are very effective. That is why, on this occasion, we want to talk to you about homemade herbicide with vinegar and salt.
This homemade formula will help you keep unwanted plants at bay in your garden or orchard. It is highly effective and, in addition, very easy to make and apply.
Why is homemade herbicide with vinegar and salt so effective?
In this formula, each of its ingredients contributes in a different way to eliminating weeds. It is the combination of both that creates a perfect synergy for the care of the garden or orchard.
Vinegar
The common vinegar that we use in the kitchen has between 5% and 8% acetic acid, which influences its herbicidal capacity. Because it is responsible for dehydrate the plants.
It breaks the cell membranes of leaves and stems, causing them to lose water rapidly. As a result, the above-ground parts of the plants dry out and then die.
In addition, vinegar is very acidic and is capable of alter the pH on the surface of plants. Phenomenon that makes it difficult for them to carry out photosynthesis and other vital processes.
As an herbicide, what vinegar does is create a hostile environment that the plant cannot tolerate.
Sal Island
Salt or sodium chloride reinforces the action of vinegar on the soil and on plants:
- Increased dehydration. It absorbs water from the plant cells through a process of osmosis, which further aggravates the dehydration caused by vinegar. This helps kill weeds faster.
- Interference in water absorption. Applied to the soil, salt becomes an obstacle for the roots to absorb water and nutrients, depriving them of essential resources for their survival.
Limitations of this homemade herbicide with vinegar and salt
Although it is one of homemade herbicides more effective, it is not always 100% effective.
It gives very good results against the young weeds and plants with small, shallow leaves. But its effectiveness is more limited in:
Perennial or deep-rooted plants
It is only capable of kill the visible parts (leaves and stems), However, plants with deep roots can sprout again. The combination of vinegar and salt will hardly penetrate the soil enough to affect the roots.
Long-term control
This product has no long-term residual effects, making it necessary repeat application to eliminate stubborn weeds.
How to make homemade herbicide with vinegar and salt?
Here are several recipes that can help you create a completely safe homemade herbicide:
Basic recipe
You need:
- 1 liter of white vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons of table salt or coarse salt.
- 1 tablespoon of liquid soap (not mandatory, but recommended to enhance the effects of the herbicide).
Mix the vinegar and salt in a large bowl, making sure the salt is completely dissolved. Then add the liquid soap and mix well (this helps the product adhere better to the leaves).
Pour the result into a spray bottle and apply directly to the leavesIf you do it on a sunny day, you will enhance the dehydration effect and get rid of weeds sooner.
Strong recipe with high concentration
It is a good alternative to treat the more resistant weeds. To make it you need:
- 1 litre of high-concentration white wine vinegar. It should contain at least 20% acetic acid.
- 2 tablespoons of coarse salt or table salt.
- 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.
Mix and apply as above. But keep in mind that this vinegar is much stronger than cooking vinegar, so it is advisable to use gloves and protective glasses when handling it, so that it does not come into contact with the skin or eyes.
Homemade herbicide recipe with vinegar, salt and baking soda
This formula intensifies the drying and pH-altering effect, and is made with:
- 1 liter of white vinegar.
- 3 tablespoons of salt.
- 1 tablespoon baking soda.
- 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.
Start by dissolving the salt in the vinegar and then add the baking soda. This will create a fizzy chemical reaction which is completely normal. Next, add the liquid soap, pour into a spray bottle and apply directly to the weeds.
What baking soda does is break down the protective cuticle of the leaves, accelerating the effects that vinegar and salt have on the leaves.
This recipe is useful if you are dealing with particularly resistant weeds or if the soil pH is alkaline.
Recipe with alcohol
Alcohol is a desiccant which causes the leaves to dehydrate more quickly. Therefore, this is a formula especially recommended for treating broadleaf weeds.
To make it you have to mix:
- 1 liter of white vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons of salt.
- 2 tablespoons isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher).
- 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.
Tips for using homemade herbicide with vinegar and salt
In order to achieve good results in your battle against weeds and not damage the plants you want to keep, keep these tips in mind:
- Apply in a way localized, only on weeds. Avoid getting the liquid on plants that you really want to have in your garden or orchard.
- If you apply it in sunny and dry days you get the sun to enhance the dehydration process.
- Do not use it on soils in which you later want to plant., because salt alters the structure and fertility of the soil in the long term.
- you may need apply the product several times to achieve good results. You can repeat the application every seven or 10 days.
- After some time after application, wash the floor well to eliminate salt build-up.
- To improve absorption, cut the plant first that you want to eliminate if it is very large or its leaves are very thick and then apply the herbicide.
Homemade herbicide with vinegar and salt is very effective against certain types of weeds. If you apply it correctly, it should not cause any damage to other plants or the environment.