FOA Jan

[meriad]

Back in 2017 you posted the "recipe" for your vinegar mix weedkiller:

But be warned, once used on the ground, apparently, nothing else will grow / which is great for my rather large gravel area.

The recipe is for a gallon, so we-ve made it into litres, as that-s a hek of a lot of vinegar

4.55 litres of vinegar
one normal cup of salt
one tablespoon of salt

Mix it all together and spray / works wonders

After 2+ years of using it; is it as effective as you hoped (as you're always out weeding ) or do weeds come back after a reasonable amount of time given everything will be washed away by rain at some point - how long does it last? Reason I ask is that on our allotment there are a few areas of weeds we just can't get to because of fences in the way; I was talking to an allotment neighbour and mentioned your mix and we're both keen to give it a go.

and then do you spray at ground / root level or the whole plant?

[JanB]

Correction on the amounts.

I now use 4.55 litres of vinegar
a mug of salt
a squirt of washing up liquid.

It works on most things and I always spray the whole weed. Those tall grasses are a right pain, but don't think you get them in England. It will kill estevas. On the paths, I've sprayed over the stones, so it will kill on both sides.

Some will come back, but it's more success than failure.

[JanB]

According to Maria Jose, it's the salt that kills, vinegar just helps it into the ground and the washing up liquid binds it together.

Don't forget to give it a good shake before use.

[Workingman]

Oh Jan, I remember you out there with your spray, every hour, on the hour, every day. The spray seemed to work in no time, certainly in the sun.

Ria, be warned, this stuff is non-selective, so keep it confined to the weeds. Do not let it get near your veg or veg patch. The salt in the mixture can / will kill the soil for quite some time.

The ex used one found in Geoff Hamilton's Kitchen Garden book when she was growing veg among the flowers. It was lemon juice and vinegar mixed 1:2. then put in an old empty spray bottle - Windolene, shower cleaner etc. The direct spray made it selective and it does not harm the soil.

[JanB]

Thanks WM, I forgot to say that it can make the soil sterile.

[meriad]

thanks both and duly noted... it really is just to keep fence lines clean that we can't reach at with strimmers / by hand so the smaller direct spray would certainly work

appreciated

[Workingman]

Hmm, I had nothing much to do so I got "interested" - sad me.

There are loads of recipes out there for the vinegar, salt and washing liquid type and few for the lemon and vinegar version. I also came across versions using old engine oil, diesel and paraffin as well as battery acid and also bleach, but it is safe to say they were frowned upon.

I also found versions of something dad used on the rockery, another hard to weed area, and they were salt diluted in water then made into a temporary emulsion with old cooking oil - put in a bottle and give a good shake.

Some of the others, using essential oils, would end up more expensive than a farmer's order of Roundup, but they do exist.

[meriad]

thanks - definitely not going to go down the petrol / diesel route

What Emily and I are looking for is natural / organic so the vinegar mixes are the most suitable I think. Will be doing some research myself; i think it's fascinating and not sad at all xx

[Workingman]

Oh goodness!

I now have visions of you two out there with your sprays zapping away like Kirk and Spock, but dressed in floral bucket hats, pinnies, green wellies and pink Marigolds.

I need help!

[meriad]

Oh goodness!

I now have visions of you two out there with your sprays zapping away like Kirk and Spock, but dressed in floral bucket hats, pinnies, green wellies and pink Marigolds.

I need help!

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