Vinegar has a multitude of uses, including cooking, health, beauty and in the garden. Vinegar is an all-natural product that you should always have on hand, especially if you enjoy gardening. Not only is it easy to obtain, but vinegar is usually not expensive as well.
Read on to discover some of the many amazing uses for vinegar in your home garden.
Organic Weed Control
Unsightly weeds around the perimeter of the garden or in the cracks of the sidewalk, driveways are difficult to get rid of, but a straight shot of white vinegar will kill the weeds. This is because the acetic acid in vinegar dehydrates the weeds in rapid fashion. But take note, vinegar can also kill your own plants as well, so use with caution!
Pour vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the weeds. Shield vegetable plants to prevent the vinegar from getting on them.
Keep Animals Away
Cats and dogs like to use the soft garden soil as their restroom. Rabbits, deer, squirrels and rats like to nibble on tender garden plants. Keep all of these animals away from your garden with this simple trick–Soak a few old wash cloths in white vinegar. Tie these vinegar-soaked rags onto nearby tree branches or stakes around the garden. The pungent scent will keep animals out of your garden.
Get Rid of Ants
Ants will eventually destroy some of your garden plants by constantly raising and protecting aphids and mealybugs that suck the life out of your plants. But ants hate vinegar and it’s harmful to them. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray directly onto ant hills. This will kill them before they can get too numerous and out of control. This organic spray mixture will also kill slugs and snails. Do note that ants are also a beneficial part of your garden ecosystem, as they aerate the soil, and help to control other garden pests.
Organic Insect Control
Mix three parts water, one part white vinegar and one teaspoon of dish-washing liquid into a spray bottle. Spray on plants to control pests. Great for organic gardens.
Acid-Loving Plant Drink
Some plants, like azaleas, gardenias and rhododendrons, grow best in acidic soil. To temporarily increase acid level in the soil, mix one cup of white vinegar into one gallon of water. Use to water acid-loving plants every other week.
Preserve Cut Flowers
Extend the life of cut flowers from your garden by placing them in water that has two teaspoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar mixed into it.
Organic Hand Sanitizer
Spending time in the garden can leave your hands dirty and stained. Remove stains, dirt and pathogens from hands by rubbing them with white vinegar before washing off with water.
Sanitize Produce
Add one teaspoon of white vinegar to a quart of water and use to wash fresh garden produce prior to eating it. This organic mixture will remove dirt, pathogens and pest droppings from fresh produce without changing the flavor of the food.