Ask A Scientist Botany Archive

name         Kristin E.
status       other
age          60s

Question -   I have learned that I can kill weeds with vinegar.  Does
the vinegar act as a systemic or does it make the soil so inhospitable to
plants that nothing will grow?
Vinegar can reduce the pH of soil sufficiently that many plants will not
thrive.

Vince Calder
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Apparently the acidic content in the vinegar burns the plants.  Although 
will acidify the surrounding soil somewhat, vinegar is a weak acid, so the 
soil is expected to return to its normal pH after a few days or so.
The following should be helpful:
http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=449
http://www.moscowfood.coop/archive/VinegarKillsWeeds.html

Anthony Brach  Ph.D.
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Dear Kristin,

You are correct, the vinegar will make the soil inhospitable to plants.  
The low pH of the vinegar will disturb the ability of the plant roots to 
draw up water and the mineral nutrients needed to survive.

--Jim Tokuhisa
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