More and more people are seeking natural alternatives to get rid of weeds without damaging the environment. Using salt to kill weeds is a smart idea, since salt is about as natural as it gets.
On top of that, pretty much everyone’s got some salt kicking around their house. But does it work? This article will outline the pros and cons of using salt to kill weeds so you can decide for yourself whether this is worth your time.
Why Are People Using Salt to Kill Weeds?
Weeds are a frustrating problem, and one that continues to affect us year after year. If we continue to use toxic herbicides to kill our weeds, after just a few years these products will start to damage our soil and anything that we plant there in the future.
That has led people to seek more natural alternatives, like salt. Not only is this safer than some of the toxic alternatives, it’s also much cheaper.
Does Salt Actually Kill Weeds?
You might be surprised to learn that salt can actually be quite useful for killing weeds. It works because it causes dehydration.
Once a plant becomes extremely dehydrated, their cells become unstable. This causes the plant to die.
However, it’s important to note that salt might not be the best weed killer for all situations. Why? It’s not great for the soil. This means that you want to restrict your salt use to relatively small areas. Use just enough to ensure that it will be diluted by rainwater or by you the next time you water your garden. Using too much can make your garden or lawn unsuitable for plant growth.
How to Kill Weeds With Salt
The easiest way to kill weeds with salt is to mix it with water. Any type of salt is fine, although table salt is probably the cheapest that you can find.
It’s smart to start out with a heavily diluted mixture of at least 3 parts water to 1 part salt. Try this out for a few days, and if you don’t see any progress, increase the amount of salt.
You can also make a recipe that includes a small amount of vinegar, which is another effective natural weed killer. Combined with dish soap, this home-made weed killing recipe will be absorbed directly into any weeds that dare to step into your yard.
The most important thing is to be careful! You don’t want too much salt to seep into the surrounding soil, where it might damage other plants.
Make sure to apply the salt water directly to the weed, using a funnel or a lipped jar. After you’re done salting, it can be helpful to water nearby plants to dilute any saltwater that may have reached them.
Conclusion
Using salt to kill weeds is a useful and effective natural method of weed control. Using salt can get rid of many different weeds. However, it’s important that you use caution and avoid salting any other plants in the area.
