Organic Answers Column – February 8, 2023 – Vinegar for weeds

WEEDS, WINTER – Time for Treatment

Snow and ice have melted and it’s time for pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control. Is it time to put out the toxic pre-emergent herbicides and contact killers like 2-4,D and Roundup? No – and it never will be.

That toxic stuff is bad for the soil, bad for the plants (especially trees) and also dangerous to pets. Veterinarians report a strong link between herbicides and pet cancer. It’s just common sense when you realize that dogs and cats are running around on bare paws with their noses down in the toxic stuff. People who proclaim herbicides to be safe once dry are either not very smart or lying.

Rescuegrass is the winter weed I get asked about the most. To control it, spray it with vinegar right now, either the 20% herbicide-labeled products or the home-made recipe of an ounce of orange oil and a few drops of soap in a gallon of 10% vinegar. Entire lawns of Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia or buffalograss can be sprayed now without fear of damage because the turf is dormant.

With the money that you will save from not using the series of toxic chemical herbicides, plant more flowers to enjoy. The best choices that can handle the cool and even cold weather before spring warmth include pansies, johnny jump-ups, violas, petunias, dianthus, calendulas and soon geraniums and many other choices.

For a little more aggressiveness toward weeds, use corn gluten meal as your fertilizer. It’s powerful, having between 9 and 10% nitrogen which is high for organic fertilizer. It also functions as an effective pre-emergent for spring weeds that are about to start germinating. If CGM is your choice, no more fertilizer is needed until about early June. It goes out at the same 20 pound per 1000 sq. ft. Rate as other organic fertilizers.

Corn gluten meal

If winter weeds are growing through gravel, mulch or cracks and joints in concrete and other paving, kill them with the same vinegar herbicide. Vinegar herbicides work when you spray them on actively growing plants. These herbicides are not selective, so be careful where you spray. Avoid plants that you don’t want to kill.