Is salt safe for long-term weed control?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Salt burns weeds alive, giving you temporary control at the expense of long-term soil health. Yes, you'll kill the weeds quickly through osmotic action, but the sodium is left behind in the soil for years to come. My neighbor's garden was sufficient to show that they have poor soil now, due to their need to add saline to the soil annually. It is worthless to use your land frequently.
Soil Degradation
- Sodium accumulation destroys soil structure creating hardpan layers
- Beneficial microbes die disrupting nutrient cycling for plants
- Earthworm populations collapse within months of application
Water Contamination
- Runoff contaminates groundwater making it unsafe for irrigation
- Aquatic ecosystems suffer from increased salinity in streams
- Well water tests show sodium spikes near treated areas
Salt. Use exclusively on isolated pavement cracks and patches of gravel. Never place it near garden beds or the edge of a lawn, and always give it a thorough rinse with water after 4 hours. I wash the residual contents of the empty container into the drain with water from my garden hose, thus minimizing pollution.
Vinegar solutions, or other similar alternatives, for your stubborn weed problems. Ground corn gluten meal will kill the weed seeds without harming the soil. You can make your mulch work a double shift for you. Keeps the weeds down while building up the earth. I work a combination of the foregoing into my flower beds. Maintain a good earth structure while removing weeds.
Test the soil annually if you are going to use some salt. You want to see how much sodium is in the soil and the pH balance. Amend with gypsum to displace the sodium ions. I send mine to my local extension office. You're monitoring how well the soil recovers from any salt exposure.
"Despite risks, salt remains" is okay for emergency weed control, in short spurts, particularly. Sprays on driveway cracks fast during dry seasons. Always wear gloves when sprinkling. Just save it for the most stubborn sidewalk weeds. You're straddling the fence for responsibility.
Read the full article: 10 Natural Weed Killers That Work
