My WBF (that’s Work Best Friend — I just made that up but I kinda like it) recently bought a house. And it seems my garden obsession is rubbing off on her! I’m so proud. Anyway. The garden needs a complete overhaul, which I’ll be helping with when I have a second. Until then, WBF has decided to tackle the lawn. She bought one of those stand-up weeders and has (and I quote) been “weeding like a woman obsessed.”
Now, WBF is about at the opposite end of the spectrum from me when it comes to lawns. First, I don’t think it would ever cross my mind to actually weed the lawn. However, she’s got thistles and small children, which do not mix well.
So, I was looking into organic weed killers for her, and found an article on using common white vinegar as a weed killer. I’d never heard that before. Before I send WBF out there with a spray bottle, has anyone ever tried this? Does it really work?
Tracy says
I’m curious if the vinegar kills the weeds only? Does the underlying grass suffer, as well?
Kasmira says
My friend, Joy, uses vineager on the weeds in her driveway. She says that it does work, but often takes repeated doses.
I’ve also read that boiling water can be used.
Marie says
Vinegar kills everything, not just weeds. They actually make herbicides using really strong acidic acid as the active ingredient. If you can find canning vinegar (20% acidic acid, it works better than grocery vinegar (5%). The commercial herbicide has other ingredients that help it cling to and spread on the plant’s leaves.
Heavy Petal says
Great info, Marie! Thanks for commenting. I think I’ll have my WBF do a test – and report back with the results, of course!
Dee says
You can use a mixture of 1 c. vinegar, 1 c. salt and 1 tbs. of dish soap mixed together as a ground sterilizer as well, you may need to use several treatments.