Use acetic acid against weeds - how it works

If you want to use acetic acid against weeds, there are a few things you need to do to avoid acidifying your soil. We'll tell you how to do it.

Effect of acetic acid on plants

A sufficient amount of acetic acid can kill unwanted weeds and is therefore an alternative to chemical weed killers. However, this method is also not entirely harmless and can also cause more damage.

• Because the acid strongly attacks plants, causing them to die. Acetic acid can also damage other plants, and not just weeds.
• The soil may also become acidic due to the vinegar and must be treated with liming in order to give plants a new habitat.
• So only use acetic acid if at all in small quantities and at best take a finished preparation that has a not too aggressive mixing ratio.
• The smaller the plants, the more effective the acetic acid. This is especially true when there is a lot of sunshine.
• Use acetic acid before sowing new plants to avoid damaging your seeds.

Against weeds: alternatives to acetic acid

There is a widespread belief that acetic acid is actually more harmful than useful. Weeds should therefore be treated with other means.

• For example, you can pour hot water over the plants to destroy the cells.
• Infrared devices also kill plants with heat and are more effective than the blowtorches that some homeowners use for entry.
• You can also prevent weeds from growing with bark mulch, a weed fleece or scarifying the soil.

If you would rather weed, we have put together tips for you in another article.