I am looking at using a vinegar weed killing solution on about 3 acres of ground. The weeds of concern are sting nettle, bind weed, poison oak and water grass. I will plan orchard grass in the spring. First question is will this solution kill the weeds metioned I have heard bind weed will be an issue as this does not go to the roots. And the second question is with the mix of 1 gallon of 10% vinegar to 2 oz of orange oil does that get mixed with water or is that the ratio. This will be sprayed with both a hand sprayer around ornamentals and a 4 wheeler boom spray for large areas. This is my first time on this forum thanks for any help.

Craig

Hello Craig, I can tell you that poison ivy (and I'll assume poison oak) will laugh at whatever dilution ratio of vinegar/orange oil/soap you choose. Physical removal is about the only way to control, and even that must be kept up with as it can return each season. I have even cut it back to the root and then shoved a coffee can on top of the root into the ground and had it come back. Suffice it to say it is a tough native species.

Can't say much about stinging nettle as I haven't fought that battle before.

I agree, physical removal of poison ivy is about the only way to get rid of it. But depending on where you're from, I might be able to answer about stinging nettle. I grew up in the Western Washington area and brushed up against stinging nettle more times than I can count. That variety of the plant dies back every year and the leaves are more vulnerable to the vinegar/orange oil weed killer mix. I think you should give that one a try.

Look at the recipe here: http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Weed-Control-Natural-Way_vq62.htm

I belong to a mnt. bike club and we repair trails in a local park and we use 20% vineagar to kill the poison ivy that gets out of hand on the trails and it works for us.I use John Dromgouls(?) verison,it seems to work for us.

You're probably killing some of the leaves but not killing the entire plant. 20% is pretty strong, so I hope you're not getting it on yourself when you use it!