16 Ways to Use Vinegar in Your Garden

One of the most common uses for household vinegar is as an all-natural weed killer. You have to be careful when spraying it around certain plants as it may be harmful to some, but when used on those pesky hard-to-kill weeds, they will disappear in two to three days' time. Combine a gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt, and a couple tablespoons of dish soap to get the job done.

Clay or terracotta pots are often the go-to planters for many gardeners due to their durability and ability to provide cool soil even in extreme heat. However, clay pots are notorious for absorbing salt, calcium or other minerals which may leave them covered in unappealing white stains. Clean up your pots by soaking them in one cup of white vinegar and four cups of water for half an hour to dissolve stubborn mineral build up.

Everyone loves to display fresh cut flowers from their garden, but the problem lies in the significant shortening of their life span after the stems are cut. Without having roots that can supply the nutrients that flowers need to survive, even the most well-kept flowers will wilt after just a couple of days. To prolong the life of your home-grown bouquets, fill the vase with one quart of water, two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of white vinegar.

When it comes to ants, vinegar can be used to either kill them or just deter them. Fill a bottle with a half vinegar and half water solution and spray directly on the ants to kill them, or just spray around walkways, the walls of your flower beds and on anthills to keep them out of the garden. You can also use this technique indoors as well by spraying the solution around any door frames, window sills or any other places ants can enter your home.