Soda should be a reliable means against weeds and destroy them overnight in an environmentally friendly way. Interested parties can find out here whether this is correct, how it is to be applied and what the legal basis is.
In a nutshell
- Versatile soda solution
- efficient action against weeds
- may have adverse effects on soil (organisms).
- simple application
- Legally in a gray area
Table of contents
- effect against weeds
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- mixing ratio
- Application
- Legal basis
- frequently asked Questions
effect against weeds
A mixture of washing soda and water produces limestone and carbonic acid as it breaks down. This has an immediate negative effect on plants. When used correctly, soda kills weeds within a few hours. For this, the above-ground parts of the plant must have direct contact with the lye. This results in various advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
Washing soda is extremely popular as a home remedy because it has the following convincing properties:
- simple application
- inexpensive
- quick effect
- economical dosing possible
- versatility
Tip: In addition to controlling weeds and treating stains on laundry, washing soda is also effective at eliminating algae and moss coverings from garden furniture to remove.
Disadvantages
For one thing, the use of soda to kill weeds is a legal gray area. On the other hand, it is necessary to protect skin, mucous membranes and eyes from the lye during use - just like other plants.
Added to this is the limited use in the garden. The solution not only fights weeds, but can damage all plants and the soil pH change. Therefore, it cannot be used, for example, on the lawn or in a flower bed.
A notice: The lye kills the aerial parts of the weeds. However, these still have to be removed by hand. With a very strong root network, the plant can also recover and grow back.
mixing ratio
Due to its high effectiveness, even a small amount of washing soda is sufficient. One tablespoon of the powder is added to one liter of water. Higher concentrations are neither necessary nor recommended.
Application
The application of soda against weeds is very simple and requires only a few steps.
- Mix solution: Mix one liter of water and one level tablespoon of washing soda together well. There must be no skin contact with the solution.
- Decanting: The mixture is poured into a spray bottle. Before each use, it should be shaken again to obtain an even mixture.
- Spray weeds: The aerial parts of the weeds are sprayed with the solution so that they are wetted all over.
- Allow to soak: The soda solution works immediately, but it takes several hours for the treated parts of the plant to die off. It is therefore ideal to leave the mixture on overnight.
- Removal: Since the effect is limited to the upper sections and usually does not include the entire root, it should be removed together with the dead plant parts. Gloves are to be worn.
For large plants with very fleshy or woody stems, it may be necessary to repeat the application several times. Here it is often easier and faster to remove the weeds mechanically.
A notice: Appropriate protection is required when using it. Wear gloves and safety goggles if necessary. In addition, pets and children should be kept away from work sites.
Legal basis
In §3 Plant Protection Act It is regulated that only approved plant protection products and herbicides may be used against weeds. In addition, these may not be used on sealed surfaces such as sidewalks. Only the mechanical removal of unwanted plants remains on these.
home remedies like salt, soda and Baking soda for weed control are not explicitly forbidden, but not allowed either. As previously mentioned, anyone using them in the garden is legally in a gray area. If you prefer to avoid this risk, go for it environmentally friendly weed control agents.
frequently asked Questions
The most environmentally friendly variant is still mechanical removal by weeding or sieving the earth when digging. Approved weed killers from the trade may also be used.
The actual purpose is to remove dirt, stains, grease and odors from the laundry. Strongly diluted, the lye can also be used for cleaning.
You can get a kilogram of washing soda for around 3 euros in stores. Since only a very small amount is required and water should normally be readily available, the costs are therefore low.
