The Truth About Using Salt to Eliminate Weeds

When I lived in Florida, my yard was made from pea rock, so keeping up with weeding was a hassle. However, since I lived next to a waterway, I didn’t want to use chemicals that could harm aquatic life, so I considered killing the weeds with salt. That’s when a friend pointed out that historically, conquerors have used salt on their opponents’ agricultural fields to keep crops from growing. That made me wonder if it was truly something I should be doing to my own land.

“It is a myth that salt is a safe, natural alternative to chemical herbicides,” says turf specialist Bennett Barrier. “It’s a cheap shortcut, but in the long run, it will cause long-lasting damage to the soil and plants growing nearby, impacting biodiversity.”

Here’s what you need to know about killing weeds with salt and when, if ever, it’s a good solution.

Does Salt Kill Weeds?

Yes, high concentrations of salt kills weeds by drawing moisture out of their cells and interfering with their ability to uptake water and nutrients.

Does Salt Kill Weeds Permanently?

It depends on the amount of salt and what kind of plants you’re trying to kill, but in general, small amounts of salt tend to kill only the above-ground parts of the plant, not necessarily the roots. Because of that, salt works best on smaller, shallow-rooted weeds versus perennials like dandelions and thistles that have deeper roots, says lawn care expert Eduard Negodenko.

Can I Use Salt to Kill Weeds on My Lawn?

Yes, but it’s not a good idea since salt also kills beneficial plants and can damage your lawn, making it uneven and sickly looking, says home renovation expert Keith Sant. Salt also changes the chemistry of your soil and harms microbes that are important for maintaining soil health. If you have excess salt in your soil, nothing will be able to grow there again until rainwater gradually washes it away, which will also make it harder to renovate or re-sod the lawn.

If you do decide to use salt anyway, lawn care expert Rob Palmer recommends adding ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar and dish soap to make the mixture more effective. “Since salt is the main ingredient in baking soda, it can help control weeds when applied correctly,” he says. Vinegar’s acidity can further help dry out the target weeds, while dish soap helps the mixture stick to the leaves.

Can I Use Salt To Kill Weeds in My Driveway?

Yes, but use it sparingly. “Since you are dealing with hard, compacted surfaces like concrete, the salt will be more effective here without doing too much damage to surrounding plant life,” says Barrier. “But it will, nonetheless, still affect the soil beneath the driveway, especially if the salt is washed into any cracks or crevices, leading to future growth problems in those areas.”

Negodenko recommends pouring a 3:1 water-to-salt mixture into cracks in driveways. Only apply it during a dry time to avoid runoff into areas where plants are to be grown.

Also, beware of using excess de-icing salts in the winter, as the salt and other additives in those pose a significant threat to your lawn, soil and greater ecosystem health.

“Over time, it can build up in the soil, creating an inhospitable environment for plant growth,” says Palmer. “Certain turfgrasses, like tall fescue and perennial ryegrass, have a higher tolerance to salt exposure, while more sensitive varieties, such as Kentucky bluegrass, may suffer greater damage.”

As an alternative, Palmer recommends de-icers, including calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), sand, kitty litter, beet juice or brine solutions.

What’s the Best Alternative To Salt for Killing Weeds?

Some more sustainable alternatives to killing weeds with salt include:

• Horticultural-grade vinegar, which is especially effective on tender and sprouting plants. “It’s great for killing weeds in no time, and is the fastest way to kill those plants,” says Negodenko.
• Boiling water, which is best for weeds growing within cracks and gravel paths. “It is simple and straight to the point,” says Negodenko.
• Pulling weeds by hand or with a weeding tool, which is best for plants with deeper roots.
• Flame weeding with a propane torch, which won’t damage the surrounding soil.
• Wood chips or straw mulch, which blocks sunlight and thus suppresses weed germination.
• Organic weed barriers (refrain from plastic-based products, which also damage soil health).

“In severe cases, one could use something more preventive like a pre-emergent,” says Negodenko. For that, he recommends aerating the soil, over-seeding, then applying corn gluten meal. “It’s a great way to kill weeds and preserve a healthy lawn,” he says.

About the Experts

• Rob Palmer is Brand President at the lawn care franchise Lawn Squad, and has been in the lawn care business for more than 30-years.
• Eduard Negodenko has been designing landscapes and providing lawn and garden expertise for more than seven years. He currently work at Avanti Landscaping in Toronto, Canada.
• Bennett Barrier has years of experience with lawn care, and is currently a turf specialist and CEO at DFW Turf Solutions.
• Keith Sant is Founder and CEO of Kind House Buyers, based in Tacoma, Washington, and specializes in buying, renovating and selling highly damaged houses.

The post The Truth About Using Salt to Eliminate Weeds appeared first on Family Handyman.

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