10 Incredible Apple Cider Vinegar Uses in Garden

Apple vinegar has many health benefits but do you know it’s beneficial for plants as well? Find out in these 10 incredible Apple Cider Vinegar Uses in Garden!

How is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?

Apple cider vinegar is a preparation made from apples with the help of yeast and sugar. The process starts by crushing the apples. Sugar and yeast are then mixed with it to initiate the fermentation process. The alcohol produced from the sugar is then processed through a second fermentation process using acid-forming bacteria resulting in the formation of vinegar.  

1. Use Apple Cider Vinegar as a Fertilizer

Not all types of vinegar available act as a fertilizer. In fact, white vinegar has often been found to have more of a herbicidal effect. However, positive results that support plant growth are observed after the application of apple cider vinegar. Due to its 5 percent acidic content, you can use it to fertilize your acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, blueberry, and gardenias.

Use organic, raw, and unfiltered apple vinegar for this purpose as it contains the pulp, which has the highest amount of nutrients for your plants. Take a ten-gallon bucket and pour ten ounces of apple cider vinegar (5% concentration) in it. Fill the rest of the bucket with water and stir thoroughly. Using a watering can or sprayer, water at the base of the plant. Avoid watering the leaves as it can lead to wilting and burn.

Also Read: 18 Amazing White Vinegar Uses in Garden

2. Clean Plant Leaves

Accumulation of dirt on indoor plants’ leaves can affect photosynthesis and growth. To avoid this, you should regularly clean them.

One of the Apple Cider Vinegar Uses in garden is this–Mix one teaspoon of apple vinegar to a gallon of water, dip a soft cloth in this solution and apply it gently on dirty leaves. The vinegar will clean the foliage, and its smell will deter away pests like scales and mites.

Also Read: How to Save a Dying Indoor Plant

3. DIY a Fruit Fly Trap

Fruit flies are a common nuisance for every gardener. If you wish to get rid of them naturally, make a solution of 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of molasses, 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly and pour it into some containers and hang them at strategical spots. The combination will act as a bait and lure the fruit flies into swarming in it. Make sure to remove the dead flies periodically.

4. Get Rid of Slugs

Apple cider vinegar is effective against controlling pests like slugs and snails in the garden. If you spray this on these soft-bodied insects, they’ll melt and perish. Mixing an equal amount of water will increase the amount of solution. *Avoid drenching the foliage of any plant with undiluted vinegar.

5. Keep Cats and Dogs Away from the Garden

Have a curious pet that wreaks havoc in your garden? Or, the rodents are disturbing your peace there? To prevent this, place some rags pre-soaked in the apple cider vinegar solution at locations you don’t want them to visit in your garden. Re-soak those rags every week to maintain the efficacy.

Another method is to spray undiluted apple vinegar around the circumference of the place you want your dog to avoid.

Also Read: Best Dog-Friendly Plants

6. Clean Old and Rusty Garden Tools

Metallic garden tools tend to rust over time. Rust forms due to the oxidation of iron by atmospheric oxygen and moisture. Apple cider vinegar can reduce this problem: For this, directly spray the ACV on to the rusty areas of the tools and wipe off with a clean cloth.
You can also dip your tools in a mug or bucket containing pure apple cider vinegar for about a day if the stains are stubborn.

Also Read: Best Power Tools For Gardening

7. Make Old Clay Pots New Again

irst of all, scrub off any dirt adhered to your containers and then put them in a solution of 4 cups water, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid for minimum one hour. After that, take out the pots and rub them gently with a moist cloth. Once the process is done, rinse them in normal water. Your terracotta pots will be clean as new. 

Note: If your pots are very dirty, you might need to soak them in this solution for 24 hours.

Also Read: Honey Uses in the Garden

8. Get Rid of Ants

You can use apple cider vinegar to get rid of ants. Add an equal quantity of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle, shake it well and spray it on ant trails in your home and ant hills in the garden. It’ll repel them! Check out 30 more ways to remove ants naturally here.

Also Read: How to Use Epsom Salt in the Garden

9. Make Your Soil More Acidic

Certain garden plants prefer acidic soil to grow and thrive. For example, cranberry, azalea, and camellia. These plants require low pH level, and apple cider vinegar can help you with that if your soil is alkaline. Remember that you need to check the pH of the soil regularly, and regulate the amount of apple cider vinegar you’re adding to the soil. Usually, you can mix half to one full cup of ACV in a gallon of water. Apply it to the soil using a watering can.

10. ACV Weed Killer

You can use apple cider vinegar to get rid of weeds. It works well and safe too. To make the weed killer recipe, add about two cups of apple cider vinegar, half a cup of Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Mix all the ingredients. Pour it in a spray bottle and directly apply over the weeds.