Solved! The Great Debate on Using Salt to Kill Weeds
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Loading... - Julius Arhin
- 24 Aug 2022
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Instead of reaching for a chemical herbicide, some gardeners opt for this cupboard staple to destroy weeds in their garden. Is using salt to kill weeds a good idea?
Q: I want an environmentally friendly garden and yard, but weeds keep popping up. I’ve heard of others using salt as a weed killer. Does salt kill weeds, and if so, what do I need to know about using it on my property?
A: Using salt to kill weeds has been a topic of debate among gardeners for a long time. The fact is that there isn’t a simple answer to this question. Does salt kill weeds? It absolutely does, but using salt as a weed killer is not the right move for every gardener—in some instances, it can do more harm than good.
Before you stock up on sodium chloride, make sure you understand how salt works to kill weeds, when and where to use it, and how to apply it to get the best results.
Salt kills weeds by dehydrating them.
Table salt comes in the form of sodium chloride. Sodium is a toxic metal ion that effectively kills plants, and it dissolves easily in water. When saltwater is applied to weeds, the dissolved sodium moves through the soil and is absorbed by plants’ roots.
Just as too much sodium isn’t healthy for people, it’s not great for plants either. High sodium levels disrupt the internal water balance of plant cells, creating a nutrient deficiency. It takes up to 10 days for a plant to fully absorb salt, and over this time, the salt’s effects burn the leaves. Its use can make a weed to die back because the plant isn’t getting the water it needs.
You’ll have the best luck killing smaller weeds with salt; it’s less effective with larger invaders, such as brambles or ivy.
Salt can be used as a nontoxic herbicide for killing weeds.
Getting weeds out of the yard and garden is easy with a chemical herbicide, but products like these can be costly and dangerous. Exposure to chemical products through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion can create numerous health hazards for humans and animals. The chemicals also have a negative impact on the environment.
Some gardeners opt to use salt as a nontoxic herbicide, since the substance is natural and unlikely to cause harm to people and pets. Read More...
