Vinegar for dandelions....anyone try this?

p0rkin

Has anyone tried using vinegar on dandelions/weeds?  I am trying to stick with something that is "safer" to use around pets and children.

Thanks!

kastle

Yes.  It took a few applications but it worked. 

littlemommy1

Did the vinegar kill the surrounding grass too? I'd like to try it on ground ivy but don't want to ruin the soil and grass. 

kastle

littlemommy1:

Did the vinegar kill the surrounding grass too? I'd like to try it on ground ivy but don't want to ruin the soil and grass. 

it will kill whatever it's near.  

however, i don't think it would work on something like ivy (as in English ivy or similar.  not sure if that's what you mean by ground ivy)

littlemommy1

Creeping charlie ivy. the kind that can't be killed!

Inkful

I've used a solution with vinegar, dish soap and salt- the recipe is from Sunset's Western Garden Book.

It worked very well with liberal application on a warm (mid-70s), sunny day.  It, at least, killed the leaves/blades on most of the things I sprayed, though I doubt that it affected the taproots on dandelions and such.

MMP

I buy gallons of Horticultural Vinegar.  It's very strong.  I love it! It is strong enough to kill ivy. I get it at my farmer's co op.

It has to be used on a sunny day. 

~NB~

agis:

I am trying to stick with something that is "safer" to use around pets and children.

Safer than WHAT?

Salts and acids CAN persist in the soil and affect nearby plants. Some detergents have components that may persist. And, if you mix things together and make new compounds, you could make something more dangerous than what they sell at the store. Common household products are not necessarily safer.

p0rkin

~NB~:

agis:

I am trying to stick with something that is "safer" to use around pets and children.

Safer than WHAT?

Salts and acids CAN persist in the soil and affect nearby plants. Some detergents have components that may persist. And, if you mix things together and make new compounds, you could make something more dangerous than what they sell at the store. Common household products are not necessarily safer.

I was referring to my daughter picking up a dandelion and putting it into her mouth, or having residue on her hands and then sticking her hands in her mouth.

Thanks for all the responses.  I did see the vinegar, salt, and soap mixture on another website, too.