I Have Been Researching How To Use Vinegar As A…
Holly Asked
I have been researching how to use vinegar as a vegetation killer. I think this would work great for us, but I cannot find out if it’s okay to replant the area after the weeds and grass have died. I’m thinking of using this method particularly in a new flower bed where I have removed the grass, but want to spray any roots I might have left behind. Can you tell me if it’s safe to spray vinegar to kill the grass roots and then replant?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Holly in Texas: Vinegar is perfectly safe to use as a natural weed killer and in concentrated form it can be effective, although it may take several applications. It is sure to burn the foliage, especially if it is applied on a sunny day, but it does not always get to the roots of the plant so it may not be a long-term solution. You mentioned that you have already removed the grass in your new flower bed but want to make sure that you killed all the roots. Have you turned your soil yet? Doing so will uplift any remaining roots and you will not need to apply any weed killer. The acetic acid in vinegar is not going to change the soil composition unless it is used in extremely high amounts on a regular basis, so there is no reason to be concerned about planting in the space after it is applied.
