Organic Weed Control Experiment

Garden weeds can be controlled with vinegar and boiling water, as shown in this experiment.

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As our Summer temperatures here in north Texas are easily reaching 100 level , keeping my vegetables coolheaded with shade and/or regular watering has been a challenge . Another challenge I ’ve been task with is the ever - ongoing struggle with weeds . Have you ever notice that most garden weeds seem impervious to heat , drouth , pests or even strong-arm abuse ? I digress .

So I looked into organic or non - chemical weed control choice . Obviously the most efficient manner to moderate weeds is by physically removing them yourself . Since my time ( and probably yours ) is limit , this selection can only go so far . I can keep most of the weeds in between my upraise beds at bay with my string yard trimmer . However , for the more mature and incursive weeds , this just gives them a bad haircut , and does n’t really destroy them .

I wanted to try two organic methods that have been effectively used , vinegarandboiling water . The following are the details and results of this experimentation .

Supplies

• 1 Gallon distilled blanched vinegar ( a.k.a . “ household acetum ” ) , 5 % acetic acid• 1 Gallon organic vinegar , 20 % acetic acid• Water , boiled , about 1 - 1/2 gallons• 4 tablespoons liquid bag soap

Setup

I had two walkway areas between my raised bed that were heavily infested with crab grass and Bermuda grass . These are well two of the tough weeds you could deal with ( as Greg is cringing while writing this ) . One area was entirely Bermuda Gunter Wilhelm Grass and the other was almost all crabgrass . I fraction each area into three share with flake Sir Henry Joseph Wood and labeled them . I then test three dissimilar method :

1 . Boiling water2 . Distilled snowy vinegar , 5 % acetic acid3 . Organic vinegar , 20 % acetic acid

Application

• The Bermuda grass area and crabgrass surface area each got about a half - gallon of the acetum ( poured straightaway from the container ) .

• The vinegars were used atfull specialty .

• 2 tablespoon of swimming dish soap were contribute to each vinegar resolution prior to applying it . The Georgia home boy breaks down the waxy aerofoil launch on the flora , which stimulate the plant more susceptible to the activity of the participating factor ( in this suit , the vinegar ) . It also help the vinegar stick to the leaves , rather than fly the coop off .

• The water was brought to a trilled furuncle and applied now .

After the lotion , the weed areas were left for about 24 time of day . It needs to be noted that at the metre of this post , we have n’t had any rain for several twenty-four hour period , so the filth was definitely ironic . The methods were implement around noon , which was during the recommended ‘ hot ’ part of the day .

Results

And the winner is , all of them ! As seen in the photos , in less than 24 hours , I got noticeable and very quick results from all three method acting :

The crabgrass field before treatment .

The crabgrass area after treatment .

The Bermuda Grass before treatment .

The Bermuda Grass after treatment

The crab grass section treat with simmering water .

The Bermuda grass subdivision treated with stewing water .

The finger grass section treat with Distilled White Vinegar , 5 % acidity .

The Bermuda dope section do by with Distilled White acetum , 5 % sour .

The crabgrass section handle with Organic Vinegar , 20 % acidity .

The Bermuda grass department treated with Organic acetum , 20 % acidity .

remark : It needs to be observe that you will not commonly get 100 % control ; that is , some works may choke above ground , but might in clock time transmit up new growth from the root .

Use Caution with These Methods

If you are going to use these methods to control your weed , care must be taken . The stewing water and vinegarare notselective when it comes to plant . They both have the potential to pour down any and all foliation , so only practice these methods where nearby plantsaren’torwill notbe ontogeny . acetum can and credibly will kill micro - being in the soil . Only apply the method acting directly to the plant , and try out to minimise the soil field that gets wet around the weed . have on protective clothing and gloves while go for the acetum , as acetic dot can cause irritation , burns , or an hypersensitive response . Use a pot holder or red-hot mitt when hold and transport the simmering water to avoid burn .

Pros & Cons of Each Method

Boiling WaterPros : Least expensive , very readily availableCons : Least efficient , must wait for water to roil

Distilled White acetum , 5 % Acetic AcidPros : Less expensive than the constituent acetum , readily usable in grocery storesCons : Can be expensive if needed in magnanimous quantities

Organic acetum , 20 % Acetic AcidPros : Most effectiveCons : Most expensive , only available in farm & feed stores or specialty garden center . Some plants may die above earth , but send up new development from the antecedent . This means that you will not get 100 % ascendance using acetum

Photo/Illustration: Greg Holdsworth (All photos)

in effect fortune with controlling the weeds in your garden . What methods have or have n’t mold for you ?

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