Chances are, you’ve heard of vinegar being the miracle cure for about a billion gardening woes. It actually reminds me of that character in My Big Fat Greek Wedding who uses Windex to cure anything, am I the only one who remembers that movie? Probably. Anyway, vinegar isn’t necessary a magic pill, but it definitely has some benefits.
First of all, let’s just go over what vinegar is NOT. It’s not a fertilizer, it actually contains only acetic acid, which is carbon hydrogen and oxygen (which is the stuff plants get from air, they don’t need more). Vinegar also has little to no effect on your soil pH level, the effects are temporary and you’d have to pretty much drown your soil in vinegar before seeing any meaningful difference.
The truth is, vinegar is a great herbicide. But as well as it kills weeds, it can also kill your flowers and plants. Because it doesn’t affect the roots, it only burns the foliage and it doesn’t discern between weed and not-weed, so it’s probably not the best option for weed control.
So what’s the point and why are people still talking about vinegar if it doesn’t fertilize, it doesn’t help soil and it doesn’t kill weeds? Well, because it does have a few hidden benefits.
Get rid of ants by spraying it around windows and doors.
Extend the life of cut flowers by adding 2T to a vase of fresh flowers.
Create a fruit fly trap by hanging cans with a mixture of vinegar, sugar, water, and molasses around fruit trees. The mixture attracts flies and traps them in the can.
Clean garden tools with a mixture of vinegar and water to break down rust and buildup.
Deter pests: Turns out, common pests like rabbits, deer, and rodents don’t like vinegar. Use a few vinegar-soaked cloths around your garden stakes to keep them away. They will need to be refreshed every week or so to maintain the effects, but it works like a charm.
Clean outdoor fountains or terra cotta pots quickly and efficiently with vinegar and water.
Remove fungi and kill slugs and snails by spraying them with undiluted vinegar.
There are a few acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons or azaleas that love vinegar, it can give them a temporary boost, but be sure you’re careful to avoid other plants that might not appreciate the extra acid.
