hydrocloric acid as a weed killer

[alfamiller]

Ive tryed using waterd down HCL as a weed killer. It seems to work briliantly. Am i right in thinking HCL will break down quickly and harmlessly in UV and soil?

[ghosty]

its a gas, in water. it will evaporate. hydrogen chloride. it would also harm worm etc in the soil. i once did something like that, and soon after saw a worm writhing out of the soil clearly in pain. i shall never ever do such things again, myself. nor could i recommend it to others based on this. but to answer your question. yes, it wont stay there.

it will also turn some soil minerals to hydrochloride salts. now, im no expert here, but i would imagine that will have some effect on how "available" those minerals then are to the plants.

Edited November 20, 2015 by ghosty

[alfamiller]

maybe i should rethink it...... i luv me worms

[ThunderIdeal]

Watered down vinegar

[ThunderIdeal]

Spray the leaves not the soil. Only lethal for weeds without an established root from which to reshoot.

[alfamiller]

good call, ill give it a spray today

[DeadStar]

Watered down vinegar

+1 i also add some washing up liquid to the mix. It heaps the vinegar solution stick to the leaves and not just run off

[liberta]

I use vinegar as well, but never tried adding washing liquid - good tip! Unfortunately vinegar doesn't control the masses of grass that are coming up between my pavers. Anyone know of anything that works for grass?

[Change]

boiling water

[brooa]

vinegar for sure! though really the best bet is to pull them out and compost etc