Content
Every year, gardeners carry out a thorough cleaning weed from your site. These plants are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and resilience. They grow quickly, displacing other cultivated plants. The productivity of vegetable crops can significantly deteriorate due to high thickets of weeds. In addition, the appearance and quality of the fruit is seriously affected. How much trouble weeds cause to all gardeners without exception. In this article, you will see how you can use regular detergent and vinegar to kill weeds effectively.
The Importance of Weed Control
Weeds not only choke out cultivated plants in the garden, but can also provoke allergic reactions. Such dangerous plants include dandelion, ragweed, wormwood and coltsfoot. It will not be possible to deal with the “enemy” with the help of weeding alone. The fact is that the root system and seeds of such plants have high frost resistance. Therefore, from year to year, as soon as it gets warmer outside, the weeds grow again.
The disadvantage of such measures is the large expenditure of effort and time. Mowing weeds in the garden can be inconvenient, as there is a possibility of harming vegetable crops.And manual weeding is a too labor-intensive process that gives short-lived results. Some gardeners use chemical drugs. But it should be remembered that such harmful substances can remain in the soil for a long time, and they are also unsafe for human health.
Many people forget that there are very effective traditional methods for controlling weeds. For example, you can prepare your own natural herbicide from the following components:
- vinegar;
- soap or detergent;
- salt.
These ingredients are completely natural and will definitely not harm the environment or health. The disadvantages of this method include the fact that vinegar is not selective and may destroy not only weeds, but also cultivated plants. But, if used correctly, nothing like this will happen.
Preparation of vinegar solution
The most important thing to consider before use is the acidity level of the vinegar. It is acetic acid that burns unwanted plants. This substance can be used alone or in combination with other components. Such ingredients make the drug more effective.
Vinegar also has an effect on some pests. For example, it perfectly fights ants, which often live both in the vegetable garden and in the garden. So, the recipe for preparing such a natural herbicide consists of the following steps:
- You need to prepare 1 liter of vinegar and 10 ml of any dishwashing detergent or liquid soap.
- Both components are thoroughly mixed and the solution is used for spraying.
This is the simplest, but very effective option for preparing the solution. You can make a more concentrated mixture, without adding soaping agents. For this you will need:
- liter of vinegar;
- a tablespoon of lemon juice.
This solution has a high acid content, due to which it has an excellent effect on unwanted plants. But this is not the limit. The following remedy can fight even the most annoying plants. It is necessary to mix in one container:
- 1 liter of vinegar.
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice.
- 4 teaspoons dishwashing detergent or soap.
- 6 tablespoons of alcohol.
To combat small weeds, dilute the mixture half and half with water. You can also make an excellent herbicide using regular salt and soap. To do this we take:
- vinegar – 1.5 l;
- salt – 30 grams;
- liquid soap – 1 teaspoon.
You can also add essential oils to vinegar. Orange or clove oil is suitable for these purposes. Just one tablespoon of essential oil is dissolved in a bottle of vinegar. The mixture should be thoroughly beaten so that the oil does not float on the surface.
Proper use of the solution
Under no circumstances should you spray the entire area with vinegar solution. In this case, irreparable harm to cultivated plants can be caused. To weed treatment was effective and correct, it is necessary to strictly follow these rules:
- For beds, you should purchase a special jet sprayer. Spraying in this case can harm vegetable crops. If there are few weeds, you can use a brush. This application option is the safest for both plants and soil.
- If you need to treat an area where only weeds are found, you can use a regular watering can or sprayer. In this way, weeds are removed from roadsides and garden paths.
- Vinegar is a very strong substance that can destroy not only plants, but also beneficial microorganisms and bacteria in the soil. Therefore, the product should not be allowed to come into contact with the soil. Only leaves, flowers and trunks of weeds need to be treated. Soap with an antibacterial effect has a similar effect. Take this into account when choosing components for the solution.
- Tall weeds should be cut off before spraying. The solution is applied to the remaining lower part of the plant.
- Dishwashing detergent plays an important role in the prepared herbicide. It promotes good adhesion of the solution to the plant. When choosing it, you need to take into account the composition. It should not contain phosphates and phenols. These are toxic substances that can harm the environment. This also includes bleach and sodium hypochlorite.
- Instead of liquid soap, you can use laundry soap. It has a more natural composition.
- Sunny weather is required for the procedure to be effective. It is the heat that activates the product and helps to influence weeds. Before using the herbicide, check the weather forecast for the next 3 days. This time is enough for the remedy to work. On the day of using the drug there should be no wind, it can spread the substance throughout the area.
- Plants must be treated before they bloom. Seeds must not be allowed to get into the soil.
- Weeds that have dried after treatment should be removed from the site or burned. The procedure can be repeated if young shoots appear.
- It is necessary to protect your hands and eyes during the procedure. To do this, gardeners use household gloves and glasses.
Conclusion
Now you know exactly how common means at hand can help you fight weeds. Many gardeners have already abandoned chemicals. You may also have thought about the question: “What products should I use on my site?” Chemicals have a bad effect on soil quality and can also seriously harm your health. Vinegar-based preparations are completely safe and environmentally friendly. The cheapest and simplest ingredients are suitable for their preparation. For example, such as soap, salt and citric acid. When used correctly, they will help cope with unwanted vegetation without harming cultural plantings.
