White vinegar is indispensable in our interior. To wash its surfaces or whiten its laundry, it is the ally of house fairies who do not want to use chemical products in their interiors. But did you know that white vinegar is also effective for certain tasks in the garden? Here are ways you can use it.
Weed without chemicals
Chemicals are merciless against weeds, but is it really beneficial to pollute your environment when a little white vinegar does the job just as well? Yes, you read that right, white vinegar helps weed your garden in a natural and inexpensive way. To do this, take a spray in which you pour white vinegar. You can then spray the weeds that invade your patio or invite themselves into corners of your garden. However, be careful not to use it regularly because, as the site points out, Easy gardening, white vinegar destroys the micro-organisms present in the soil. However, they are essential for biodiversity.
Remove rust from tools
To extend the life of your garden tools, it is better to cover them, especially during rain and damp weather. Otherwise you run the risk of them rusting. Forgotten your hoe or spade outside for a few days? Do not panic ! You can still prevent rust on your tools by soaking them in white vinegar diluted with water for a few hours. Do not forget to dry them well and store them in a dry place. [1]
Terracotta pots like new
Not only garden and vegetable garden tools can benefit from white vinegar as a rejuvenating agent. For example, your clay or terracotta pots can regain their beauty if you apply white vinegar to them with a sponge. Rub in vigorously and then rinse with clean water. If necessary, repeat the operation once a week. [2]
Clean bird feeders and water bowls
The white vinegar reflex is not only reserved for household cleaning products. You can also use it to clean surfaces in your yard, such as bird feeders and water troughs. Read our two dedicated articles to learn all about it:
- Why and how to clean bird drinkers?
- Why and how to clean bird feeders?
Protect your plants from animals
Have you noticed that your pet (or a neighbor’s) has gotten into the habit of pooping near your plantations? You can spray a little white vinegar. Cats and dogs don’t like the smell. This should be enough to keep them away from your precious plants. [3]
Keep pests away
With the arrival of spring you want to have lunch in the sun but the flies invite themselves for the meal? To keep them away, you can place small vinegar cups near your table. The smell will scare them off. You can also catch flies that attack your fruit by hanging a trap from the branches of your fruit tree. Cut a plastic bottle in half, add some white vinegar and sugar, and seal the top of the bottle like a funnel, using something like masking tape.
Extend the life of cut flowers
When you grow beautiful flowers in your garden, sometimes you want to make bouquets out of them to brighten up your interior. So to keep them beautiful for as long as possible, you can mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with a teaspoon of sugar in the vase. As POSITIVR explained in this article, this little trick will protect your plants from possible microorganisms that may be present in your vase.
Know the pH of your soil
Knowing the pH of your soil is essential to knowing what plants can grow there. here again, Easy Gardener gives us its secrets and explains how to know the pH of your soil thanks to white vinegar. All you need to do is mix a handful of soil with a few spoonfuls of white vinegar in a cup. If moss begins to appear, you can assume that your soil is alkaline, meaning it has a pH above 7.
Acidify the soil
Once you know the nature of your soil, you may decide to acidify it to grow so-called “acid-loving” plants, such as azaleas, heather, nasturtiums, hydrangeas, or even daffodils. If your soil is not acidic, you can water your acid-loving plants from time to time with a mixture of water and white vinegar. Add about 300 ml of vinegar to 5 liters of water. [4]
Interested in this topic? Discover 11 natural tips for using baking soda in the garden and at home.