10% Vinegar, Orange Oil, Dish Soap Weed Killer – Alternative to Glyphosate (Roundup)

by EzekielDiet.com
Posted on Sep 13, 2015

EZ Diet Note:  Most vinegar at the grocery store will be diluted to 5% acidity. I’m not sure where you find 10% to 18% acidity. Adding lemon juice can increase the acidity if you can only find 5% from the grocery store. The article below says Lowe’s stocks 18% vinegar. Probably better stocked garden centers will too, along with the orange oil. Some dish soaps will have chemicals, Dr. Bronner’s Oil Soaps as seen in the video below may be the safer option.

The easiest recipe for vinegar weed killer is simply to use vinegar at full strength, without adding anything else. White vinegar is most often used for this purpose, although any vinegar will work. Vinegar is generally a pet-safe weed killer, as well.

Types of Vinegar

There are many types of vinegar. The most popular type is apple cider vinegar. It is usually a mixture of apple cider, vinegar and water reduced to five percent acidity for more uniform pickling and table strength. Pickling vinegars may go up to 18 percent acidity. Generally, the stronger the acidity level of a vinegar, the stronger the vinegar’s weed killing power will be. It is the acetic acid in vinegar which works to kill undesirable plants.

Recipe for Vinegar Weed Killer

There are numerous recipes used by gardeners. It depends upon your own experience and opinion which is best to use. Several different recipes are given below, followed by warnings and other information which will be helpful to you.

Vinegar alone – Full strength, undiluted 18 percent acidity vinegar can be an effective weed killer.

Vinegar and Soap – Mix dishwashing soap at a rate of one ounce per gallon of full strength vinegar. This mixture can double as an insecticide. Be aware of this as you’re using it. Also remember that it will kill your good plants as well, so be sure not to get it onto any of your flowers or vegetable plants. Please see the dangers section below for warnings about harmful chemicals in some detergents.

Vinegar, Soap, Water and Salt – One gallon vinegar, one cup of salt, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid. Mix together and apply. Please see the dangers section below for warnings about harmful chemicals in some detergents.

Vinegar and Lemon Juice – Many people say that adding lemon juice to vinegar increases its effectiveness as a weed killer. This is because it increases the acidity levels. Adding anywhere from one tablespoon to one cup per gallon is a common recipe.

Vinegar and Essential Oil – Mix full strength vinegar with one tablespoon of essential oil of clove or orange. Some gardeners say the oil helps the mixture stick to the plants better to increase effectiveness.

From:  http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Recipe_for_Vinegar_Weed_Killer

Also see:

Vinegar Weed Killer

Lately, I’ve been seeing Pinterest boards and blogs with tutorials on how to make a vinegar weed killer.  Friends, I’m here to tell you that their information is faulty and their vinegar weed killer will not work.

Most of the blogs that show vinegar weed killer recipes, show household vinegar with 5% acidity.

This.Will.NOT.Work.  I repeat, This.Will.NOT.Work.

Learn how to get rid of weeds naturally and effectively.I see all types of recipes for killing weeds. Many can destroy healthy soil organisms that plants need to thrive. Follow my recipe and keep your soil healthy while getting rid of weeds.What makes me Mrs.-Know-It-All-About-Natural-Weed-Killers?  I don’t mention this much, but I am a Master Gardener and even when it was considered unscientific by the gardening set, I was using natural and organic methods in my garden. I’ve sat through numerous seminars by leading organic gardeners in Texas. They will back me up on this one ~ I assure you.

All that aside, I have tried {and occasionally failed} numerous concoctions and methods to get rid of weeds. My knowledge comes from years of trial and error (more like trowel and error) in the garden.

Household vinegar will not kill weeds, even if you add Dawn dish soap. It will cause the weeds to shrivel some, but that’s about it. Noxious weeds need something stronger.

There is good news. A stronger solution of vinegar mixed with orange oil will kill weeds and kill them for good. But, it has to be done correctly or the weeds will come back.

You need a vinegar that has AT LEAST 10% acidity* PLUS a horticultural citrus oil*. There is some controversy within the organic gardening community regarding vinegar strength. Several respected gardeners say that 10% acidity mixed with citrus oil will kill weeds. (*affiliate links)

For at least 10 years I have been using a 20% vinegar for my weed control. I have not tried 10% vinegar ~ but I trust the gardeners who say it will work. Many of them are diluting their 20% vinegar by cutting it in half and adding water. Doing this will give you two gallons of 10% vinegar.

WARNING:  This 10% – 20% vinegar is potent.  You need to wear goggles, rubber gloves, long sleeves, and shoes when working with 20% vinegar. It will burn your skin if any splashes. I have experienced this first hand ~ it can be very painful.

Learn how to get rid of weeds naturally and effectively.I see all types of recipes for killing weeds. Many can destroy healthy soil organisms that plants need to thrive. Follow my recipe and keep your soil healthy while getting rid of weeds.

While the vinegar alone will work well at getting rid of weeds, it’s the orange oil that nails the coffin shut on weeds. However, none of this will kill weeds if it isn’t properly applied. That is the real secret to killing weeds and killing them for good.

If you want to kill weeds naturally, then here’s what you do:

The correct ratio for weed killing is:  1 gallon of 10-20% vinegar to 1 C. of orange (or citrus) oil.  Mix well. (see my Warning above) Then, add to either a spray bottle like this one.* I highly recommend heavy duty rubber glove* when applying with this type of bottle ~ it does tend to drip. (*affiliate links)

Learn how to get rid of weeds naturally and effectively.I see all types of recipes for killing weeds. Many can destroy healthy soil organisms that plants need to thrive. Follow my recipe and keep your soil healthy while getting rid of weeds.

If you have a lot of weeds, this type of sprayer* will cover more area.  Again, wear rubber gloves when applying. I would use this if I want to go after a lot of the weeds at once. I’d have it all ready and then wait for the right time day to kill weeds. (*affiliate)

Learn how to get rid of weeds naturally and effectively.I see all types of recipes for killing weeds. Many can destroy healthy soil organisms that plants need to thrive. Follow my recipe and keep your soil healthy while getting rid of weeds.

The 20% vinegar costs around $20 which means you want to apply this correctly.  Now here is THE KEY to effective weed killing.

This ONLY WORKS when applied at full strength, in sunlight, during the heat of the day. That means, if it rained yesterday, then don’t apply it.  If rain is in the forecast within 24 hours, don’t apply it.

Wait until the soil is dried out a bit, the sun is bright, and it’s the middle of the day. It must be at least 70-degrees for maximum efficacy. The weed will think you are giving it some good food. Down the hatch, little weed.

Keep in mind that this brew does not discriminate. Be careful where you spray. It will kill your flowers, grass, and plants just as effectively. Obviously, avoid application on windy days. Another effective way to apply is with a paintbrush.

Also, keep pets away for a few hours. The product will dissipate quickly, but small pets could still feel the effects if they come in contact too soon.

Now, I may be willing to blend, mix, and brew concoctions in my garage, but maybe that’s not your thing. The good news is a company has created a blend* for you. Just add to a spray bottle and start killing weeds. (*affiliate)

Learn how to get rid of weeds naturally and effectively.I see all types of recipes for killing weeds. Many can destroy healthy soil organisms that plants need to thrive. Follow my recipe and keep your soil healthy while getting rid of weeds.It is also very important to wash out whatever spray bottle you use or the vinegar will corrode the working parts. Empty any unused vinegar/orange oil mixture back into a suitable container. Be sure the container is non-corrosive and heavy duty. Remember, you will be storing a very strong vinegar.  Empty paint cans and milk jugs are not suitable. It must be a heavy grade plastic bottle ~similar to the type that the vinegar comes in.

Where to get 20% vinegar and orange oil. I am able to purchase mine at Lowe’s. My organic garden center also carries these products. They are also available on Amazon. If you know of another place where these products can be purchased, please share ~ especially international readers.

Gardening naturally is so much more rewarding ~

From:   http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/a-vinegar-weed-killer/

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