Weeds are pesky plants challenging to control. They grow where we don’t want them to and are often invincible to herbicides and other weed killers. Additionally, one of the most common challenges of using herbicides is that they often kill the plants we want to keep.
This can be especially difficult when trying to maintain a lawn or garden. What should you do?
It turns out, one household item may be the solution: rock salt. Sodium chloride is a popular choice for killing weeds, as it is readily available and inexpensive. It’s relatively a DIY solution for those who want to avoid using harsh chemicals.
Is Rock Salt Effective for Killing Weeds?
Chemical herbicides work by penetrating the plant’s cell membranes and causing them to burst. The process is called osmosis, and it prevents the plant from being able to take in water.
This will eventually cause the plant to die. Similarly, rock salt works to kill weeds by dehydrating them.
This method is most effective on small weeds that have not yet gone to seed. It is also important to target the weed when it is actively growing, allowing the salt to penetrate the plant more easily.
How Long Does it Take for Rock Salt to Kill Weeds?
Using rock salt doesn’t show instantaneous results, but you should see the effects within 10 days. Depending on the severity of the weed problem, you may need to reapply salt every few weeks until the weeds are gone.
One downside of using rock salt is that it can also kill nearby plants. You need to be careful when applying salt and avoid getting it on desirable plants. Moreover, rock salt can make the soil less hospitable for other plants, so it’s essential to rinse the area with water after applying salt.
The best thing about this method is that it can be a long-term solution for your weed problems. Applying large quantities of sodium chloride to your weeds will create an environment hostile to plant growth.
This will help to prevent weeds from growing back in the future. This is particularly helpful for those stray weeds growing in your walkways, pavements, rocky areas, driveways, and other difficult to weed areas.
How to Use Rock Salt as Weed Killer
There are different ways you can use salt to kill weeds. You can apply it directly to the plants or make a saltwater solution to spray on your weeds.
To apply rock salt directly, simply sprinkle it on the weed’s leaves. Be sure to avoid getting any on desirable plants, as this could also damage them. It’s also vital to apply salt when the weather is dry, as wet leaves will cause the salt to spread and damage other plants.
To make a saltwater solution it’s found to be most effective when you use the 3:1 ratio. This means you would use three parts water to one part salt. For example, if you are using a cup of salt, you would add three cups of water. Add vinegar and dish soap to your solution.
Vinegar is an acidic ingredient that will help break down the plant’s cells. Dish soap will help the solution to spread and stick to the plant. Dish soap is a surfactant, which means it lowers the surface tension of water. This allows the solution to spread evenly over the plant’s leaves.
This is particularly important if you are trying to target hard-to-reach weeds, such as those growing in cracks in the pavement.
Mix it well and make sure that you dissolve all of the salt crystals. Then, transfer it to a spray bottle and apply it to the leaves of your weeds. Be sure to drench the leaves, giving the solution time to penetrate the plant.
You can also make a larger batch of this solution and store it in a bucket for future use. Just be sure to label it clearly, so you don’t accidentally spray it on your desirable plants.
Making a saline solution is considered to be more effective than applying the salt directly to the plant. This is because the solution will spread more evenly. Reapply your saltwater solution after a week, and repeat as necessary.
Warnings When Using Rock Salt as a Weed Killer
Rock salt has its advantages, but there are also some warnings that you should be aware of before using it.
- It is a non-selective weed killer. This means that it will kill any plant that it comes into contact with.
- Rock salt may be ineffective on perennial weeds.
- It takes a large amount of salt to kill weeds.
Will rock salt kill weeds?: Final Thoughts
If you have the intention of killing every plant in your path, rock salt may be the weed killer for you. However, if you’re looking for a more targeted approach, there are other methods that may be more effective.
Salt may not be the best option if you’re looking for spot treatment or if you have delicate plants nearby that you don’t want to damage. Weigh the pros and cons before deciding if rock salt is suitable for your needs.