Are You Tired of Pulling Weeds by Hand but also Want to Stay Away from Chemical Herbicides? We Have the Best Solution for You!
Have you ever thought that salt can do magic in your garden? It’s a totally natural herbicide that can help you rapidly and effectively get rid of stubborn and unwanted weeds in your garden. Keep in mind that not all salt is equal when it comes to weed control, which is why you should use regular iodized or non-iodized table salt for the most effective results. Check the package and be careful not to use magnesium sulfate, what you need is called sodium chloride!
Even though salt is a natural ingredient, you still need to be very careful when applying it because it can easily damage or even kill the surrounding plants. The worst it can do is leach into the soil and seriously affect it. Salt can sterilize the soil, so you better use the herbicide for the weeds which are not surrounded by other plants, to reduce the risk of ruining your garden. It’s perfect for the weeds picking through cracks in asphalt or growing between patio stones.
The results can be seen in 3 days and is, by far, one of the most affordable gardening tricks. Sounds good? Continue reading to learn how to use it and make your neighbors jealous of your beautiful garden!
How does it work?
Sodium chloride is toxic to your garden and can easily kill weeds by dehydrating the plants and disrupting the internal water balance of the plant’s cells. To make it more effective, the best is to mix the sodium chloride (salt) with water, because it will be easier for the unwanted weeds to absorb the solution. The results are great and effective if you use the right amount of salt and pay attention not to spray the composition on the healthy plants in your garden. If the unwanted weeds are placed right near a beautiful flower, you’ll risk affecting it. So, be careful!
You can use simple boiling water to avoid this kind of situation and not damage the soil. Even though it’s not as effective as the combination with salt, the results are still great and your flowers will be completely safe.
How to prepare the saltwater herbicide?
The salt method is one of the most effective because it removes the weeds permanently, by damaging the roots. All you need to do is be extremely careful when applying it. Leaves will start to wilt in a few hours and the final results can be seen in 3-10 days.
It’s easier than you can imagine, to prepare the solution! All you need is:
- 1 cup of table salt
- 1 gallon of water
- spray bottle
Mix the table salt and the water and stir until the composition is completely dissolved. That’s all!
If you want a more effective recipe for the stubborn weeds you can also add some dish soap and dissolve the salt into boiling water, not cold water. This way, you’ll be able to kill the foliage of mature weeds.
Another trick would be to use vinegar instead of water because it breaks plant cell membranes and speeds up dehydration.
These combinations are not non-toxic for humans or pets and are both very effective and affordable. Once you try one of these methods, you’ll never go back to classic herbicides found in stores.
Another advantage is that you don’t need any special equipment while spraying your garden. However, if you accidentally spray saltwater on your skin, make sure you wash it before it dries.
Are there other ways to kill weeds?
Even though salt is a very effective method, it takes a little time. You’ll be able to see the results 3 days after using the spray. However, there are also other available options and we are ready to share them with you. Remember that not all of them are non-toxic and natural and you should pay attention when choosing the one you want to work with. Also, each method comes with advantages and disadvantages, the best choice will depend on your specific situation and the types of weeds you are dealing with.
- Simple boiling water – Boiling water can cause irreversible damage to weeds, even if it’s used without salt. The difference is that this method doesn’t leave any harmful residues in the soil.
- Vinegar – Vinegar contains acetic acid and can easily burn young and tender plants. If you want an even more effective method, you can use horticultural vinegar.
- Hand-pulling – Hand-pulling can be very satisfying because you can immediately observe the results. The biggest disadvantage is that the method is time-consuming and you might end up with arm pain. Also, in just a few days, you’ll need to start the entire process again.
- Mulching – A layer of organic mulch will do magic for the soil and can prevent new weeds from emerging.
- Corn gluten meal – Gluten meal will not kill the existing weeds but is a great way to prevent future problems since it’s considered a pre-emergent herbicide.
- Fire – the fire is another non-toxic method used in gardening. It burns the emerging weeds but it can’t kill the roots. However, flame weeders can be found on Amazon if you are curious and want to try this option.
- Herbicides – if you want immediate results and don’t have any problem using chemicals, herbicides found in stores should be the perfect choice for you. The kill will be much quicker compared to salt.
Do you have past experiences with any of these methods, you’d like to share with us? Feel free to leave us a comment and inspire other gardeners with your tips and tricks. Also, come back and tell us how it went with the salt. Was it as effective as you expected?
If you are interested in learning more about this subject, you should also read: 5 Basic Gardening Tools Anyone Should Have. The article can be found on our website and the presented tools should be part of your next shopping list if you are not already using them.
