10 Ways to Use Vinegar in the Garden

Vinegar is a kitchen staple, but it might be doing its best work out in the garden. From wiping down pots to keeping pests away, this budget-friendly wonder liquid has a surprising number of uses.

🧴 10 Ways to Use Vinegar in the Garden

If you’re already using baking soda in the garden, vinegar makes a natural pairing.

Here’s how to make the most of it.

🌱 1. Spot-Treat Weeds in the Cracks

A spritz of undiluted white vinegar is a quick way to knock back weeds between pavers or on gravel walkways. Just be sure to spray directly—vinegar will damage whatever it touches. A narrow stream spray bottle gives you better aim and less mess.

🪴 2. Clean Mineral Build-Up Off Clay Pots

That white crust on your terracotta pots? It’s just mineral residue from hard water. Soak a rag in vinegar and wipe it off, or give them a rinse in a tub with a splash of vinegar added. They’ll look brand new without scrubbing.

🐜 3. Keep Ants and Pests From Moving In

Ants and slugs aren’t fans of vinegar. Spray a mix of equal parts vinegar and water around garden beds, walkways, or outdoor storage to help send them packing. For more pest-repelling tips, grab the 20 DIY Plant Sprays for Indoor and Outdoor Garden Pests printable—it’s full of pantry-friendly formulas that work.

🧼 4. Disinfect Pruners and Tools

A vinegar soak is a gentle way to clean sticky sap or rust from your favorite hand tools. Fill a bucket with equal parts vinegar and water, toss in your pruners, and let them soak for 15 minutes. Follow up with a tool cleaning brush to scrub them clean.

🌿 5. Freshen Up Birdbaths and Planters

Skip the bleach and use vinegar to scrub algae and mildew from birdbaths and outdoor planters. Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and a dash of dish soap. Rinse well afterward so it’s safe for birds and plants.

🍅 6. Add a Splash to Boost Acid-Loving Plants

A tablespoon of vinegar in a gallon of water can temporarily lower the pH, giving a gentle boost to plants like hydrangeas, tomatoes, and blueberries—especially if your soil leans alkaline. Don’t overdo it, though. Once every few weeks is plenty.

🌼 7. Shine Up Garden Lanterns and Décor

Lanterns, solar lights, and even metal trellises can get grungy fast. A vinegar wipe-down cuts through dust and grime without harsh chemicals. Just dampen a cloth and buff—easy cleanup with no rinse needed.

🧺 8. Clean Off Harvest Baskets

If your baskets or bins have collected sticky plant sap or compost smudges, vinegar can break it down fast. A quick wipe with diluted vinegar will have them ready for the next round of veggies.

🌱 9. Rinse Out Grow Bags

Grow bags tend to pick up odor and mildew by the end of the season. A vinegar-and-water rinse helps freshen them up and clean away any lingering pests or fungus. Lay flat in the sun afterward to dry and disinfect.

💐 10. Keep Cut Flowers Fresh Longer

Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar to vase water. It slows bacteria growth and gives blooms like zinnias, marigolds, or dahlias a few extra days to shine. These colorful garden scissors are great for clean stem cuts too.

Vinegar is strong stuff, so use it selectively and always spot-test first—especially around plants or porous surfaces.

Want even more quick, natural garden wins? The Garden Problem Solver is packed with tips for dealing with pests, soil trouble, layout issues, and more—without spending a fortune or resorting to chemicals.