If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your lawn. You love the way it looks when it’s freshly mowed, but you hate how much time and effort it takes to keep it looking that way. One of the biggest challenges is getting rid of those pesky weeds that seem to pop up at the worst possible times. So, can you use lemon juice to kill weeds? Will it kill your grass? Read on as we cover everything you need to know about lemon juice and its effect on weeds and grass.
Will Lemon Juice Kill Grass?
Because of its acidic nature, lemon juice will kill grass if applied directly. However, it’s important to note that this only applies to the blades of grass that come into direct contact with the lemon juice. The roots will remain unharmed, which means the grass will quickly grow back.
However, lemon juice does have the ability to turn your grass brown which can give your lawn an unsightly appearance. So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get rid of weeds growing within your lawn, you may want to steer clear of lemon juice to avoid harming your grass.
5 Effects of Lemon Juice on Grass
Now that we’ve answered the question, “will lemon juice kill grass,” let’s take a closer look at how it can affect your lawn.
Your Soil’s pH Level
Lemon juice is extremely acidic, which means it can lower the pH level of your soil. This is important to consider because most grasses prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH level of around seven). If the lemon juice lowers your soil’s pH level too much, it could make it difficult for your grass to absorb nutrients, leading to yellowing and browning of the blades.
Your soil’s pH level can be easily tested with a pH testing kit, which you can purchase at your local hardware store. By testing your soil’s pH level regularly, you can ensure your grass is getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and green.
Nutrient Deficiencies
As we mentioned, lemon juice can make it difficult for your grass to absorb nutrients. This can lead to a number of nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC). IDC is a condition that causes the blades of grass to turn yellow or pale green due to an inability to properly absorb iron from the soil. If left untreated, IDC can eventually kill your grass.
Fortunately, treating IDC is relatively easy. You can purchase an iron-rich fertilizer from your local garden center and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help to replenish the iron in your soil and allow your grass to absorb the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Brown Spots
As previously covered, lemon juice can cause your grass to turn brown. This is because the acidity of the lemon juice burns the blades of grass, causing them to turn brown and die.
If you do decide to use lemon juice to kill weeds, be sure to avoid any areas where your grass is growing. Otherwise, you’ll end up with unsightly brown spots on your lawn that will be difficult to repair.
Dry Soil
Lemon juice can also cause your soil to become dry and hard. This is because the acidity of the lemon juice breaks down the organic matter in the soil, making it less able to retain water. As a result, your grass may suffer from drought stress, leading to browning and wilting of the blades.To avoid this, be sure to water your lawn thoroughly after applying lemon juice to kill weeds. This will help to replenish the moisture in your soil and prevent your grass from suffering from drought stress.
Slow Growth
Finally, lemon juice can also slow the growth of your grass. This is because the acidity of the lemon juice inhibits seed germination and root growth. As a result, your grass may take longer to grow back after being treated with lemon juice.
Homeowners can avoid this by being patient and waiting for their grass to fully recover before mowing or fertilizing. Alternatively, grass can be recovered from having contact with lemon juice by aerating the lawn and overseeding with a high-quality grass seed.
Does Lemon Juice Kill Grass and Weeds?
Now that you know that lemon juice has the ability to kill grass, you may be wondering if it’s effective at killing weeds as well.
The answer is yes! Lemon juice can be used to kill both grass and weeds. However, it’s important to remember that lemon juice is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill any plant it comes into contact with. Therefore, you need to be careful when using lemon juice to kill weeds so that you don’t accidentally harm your lawn in the process.
When used properly, lemon juice can be an effective tool for controlling weeds in your lawn. Just remember to use it carefully and avoid contact with your grass!
How to Get Rid of Weeds with Lemon Juice in 3 Steps
Killing weeds using lemon juice is a relatively simple process that can be completed in just a few steps.
Here’s how to do it:
Step One: Prepare the Solution
To begin, you will need to choose if you want to use 100% lemon juice or a diluted solution. If you choose to use 100% lemon juice, you will need to be very careful not to let it come into contact with your grass.
If you choose to dilute the lemon juice, you can mix it with water at a ratio of one part lemon juice to three parts water. This will make it less likely to harm your grass while still being effective at killing weeds. Moreover, this will cost you less money since you will be using less lemon juice.
Once you have decided which solution you want to use, mix it in a spray bottle and make sure it is well-mixed.
Step Two: Apply the Solution
Next, simply spray the solution directly onto the weeds you want to kill. Be sure to avoid contact with your grass or any other desirable plants.
If possible, try to apply the solution on a sunny day. This will help the lemon juice to work more effectively by increasing evaporation and preventing it from being washed away by rain.
Step Three: Repeat as Necessary
Weeds can be stubborn and may require multiple applications of lemon juice before they are killed. Depending on the size of your lawn and the number of weeds, you may need to repeat this process every few weeks.
Eventually, the lemon juice will kill the weeds and they will turn brown and die. At this point, you can either leave them in place or remove them from your lawn.
How to Clean Lemon Juice on Grass
If you accidentally get lemon juice on your grass, don’t worry! You can easily clean it up using a garden hose. Below, we run you through the steps on how to do this:
Step One: Rinse the Affected Area
The first step is to rinse the affected area with water from a garden hose. This will help to remove any lemon juice that is sitting on the surface of your grass. You should cover the area with enough water so that the lemon juice is completely diluted. Not applying enough water will cause it to get absorbed too fast without sufficiently diluting the lemon juice. On the other hand, applying an excessive amount of water could cause you to flood your yard or cause property damage, to be sure to apply water generously while still being mindful.
Step Two: Wait for the Area to Dry
After rinsing the affected area, you will need to wait for it to dry completely before taking any further action. This could take a few hours or even a day depending on the weather conditions. Once the area is dry, you can assess the damage and decide if any additional steps are necessary.
Step Three: Reseed
If the grass looks brown or withered after allowing it to dry, this means that lemon juice was indeed absorbed by your grass and has killed it. In this case, you will likely need to go with a recovery option as opposed to a prevention method. One such option is to reseed the affected area so that new grass can grow. This will require some effort on your part, but it is often the best way to restore your lawn to its original state.
Conclusion
Now that you know the answer to the question, “will lemon juice kill grass?” you can use this information to make an informed decision about how to treat your lawn. Just remember to always take care when applying any type of chemicals or solutions, and be sure to read the instructions carefully before taking any action. With a little bit of effort, you should be able to keep your lawn looking green and healthy all year round!
