# Can I "salt the earth" to prevent weeds? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 29, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611 "2009-10-29T15:01:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/21 "2009-10-30T13:37:13Z")
Roundup is a brand, not a product. There are several products carrying the Roundup brand, one of which is an [extended control herbicide.](http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productCategorySubSelf.jsp?navAction=jump&branPage=roundup&itemId=cat10001&id=cat50004). Like the Ortho stuff I mentioned earlier, it kills existing weeds and then sticks around for several months to prevent new weeds from growing. ---
**Author:** ![EdwardLost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/22 "2009-10-30T15:55:22Z")
If salting the earth keeps plants from growing, how do the Dutch farm all that land recovered from the sea? It would have been permeated with salt. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/23 "2009-10-30T16:58:25Z")
I suggest watering the area with Brawndo. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/24 "2009-10-30T17:07:58Z")
> [@EdwardLost](#): > > how do the Dutch farm all that land recovered from the sea? It would have been permeated with salt. Salt, as in NaCl, can be washed out of soil with rainwater, or irrigation. If you want dead soil, you need to salt with something that mostly stays in place during watering, such as borax. ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/25 "2009-10-30T20:08:50Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > I suggest watering the area with Brawndo. I thought that’s what my weeds craved. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/26 "2009-10-30T22:39:28Z")
I’ve heard rumors that vinegar can be used as a herbicide, and it’s cheap to boot. I’m not certain whether you need to mix it with water or apply it directly, but it’s worth a shot. I doubt it’ll prevent weeds, though. It’s probably got the same limitations as Roundup. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/27 "2009-10-31T06:20:08Z")
> [@Snickers](#): > > I’ve heard rumors that vinegar can be used as a herbicide, and it’s cheap to boot. I’m not certain whether you need to mix it with water or apply it directly, but it’s worth a shot. > > I doubt it’ll prevent weeds, though. It’s probably got the same limitations as Roundup. I was going to post about vinegar. It is my go to herbicide for areas where I don’t want anything to grow (and it has the benefit of being reversible with application of lime) I find it lasts longer than glyphosate (which really doesn’t have much residual effect) is cheaper and I don’t have to worry about spray getting other plants (I tip it straight from the bottle where I want). I also like using boiling water for instant results and will use both - boiling water and then vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![Fitz3630](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4bbf92/32.png) [@Fitz3630](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fitz3630)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/28 "2012-05-09T19:51:41Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Isn’t it easier just to put a layer of plastic under the patio stones? If your drive/patio is on a slope directed towards your house then on a nice rainy day you’ll have a better surprise. That’s why we haven’t placed it down. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/29 "2012-05-09T19:57:01Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > We don’t know where the OP is. Don’t some countries (those of the EU, for instance) ban glyphosate? It’s not banned in the UK, and we’re in the EU. Might be banned some countries, but not here 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Take\_the\_cannoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5e9695/32.png) [@Take\_the\_cannoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Take_the_cannoli)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/30 "2012-05-09T21:20:07Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > I was going to post about vinegar. It is my go to herbicide for areas where I don’t want anything to grow (and it has the benefit of being reversible with application of lime) I find it lasts longer than glyphosate (which really doesn’t have much residual effect) is cheaper and I don’t have to worry about spray getting other plants (I tip it straight from the bottle where I want). > I also like using boiling water for instant results and will use both - boiling water and then vinegar. Have you ever added dish soap to the vinegar? I just read a [website](http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/vinegar-weed-killer.html) recently that discussed using vinegar as a weedkiller. Apparently, a little dish soap added to the vinegar makes it more effective, as it causes the weeds to absorb more of the solution. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/31 "2012-05-10T16:14:05Z")
Regular vinegar is okay, but if you’re a “salt the earth” type (which it appears you are), you may want to pick up some horticultural vinegar. Regular white vinegar is about 5% acetic acid; horticultural vinegar is 20-25%. Don’t get it on your skin, it stinks way more than regular vinegar and could burn you. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/32 "2012-05-10T16:18:37Z")
A small thermonuclear device would probably do the trick. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/33 "2012-05-10T16:30:15Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > A small thermonuclear device would probably do the trick. I know, and it would probably take care of the mouse problem, too. But Mr. Neville _whines_ so when I bring up that idea. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/34 "2012-05-10T17:12:00Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > A small thermonuclear device would probably do the trick. From orbit, I hear is the only way to be sure no weeds will grow there again. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/35 "2012-05-10T17:20:55Z")
Your problem isn’t so much that there are weeds as that there are cracks for the weeds to grow in. Is there a lazy-dude way to fill in the cracks semi-permanently so your enemy has no ground to go to? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/36 "2012-05-10T17:30:25Z")
zombie weeds cannot be killed… ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/37 "2012-05-10T17:42:15Z")
In ancient times, salt was a very valuable commodity-wars were fought to secure supplies of it. So I kinda doubt accounts of the Romans buring Carthage, and then spreading salt on it . Seems like a hyperbole to me. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/38 "2012-05-10T17:58:15Z")
FYI, Cecil was skeptical of such stories as well, in [this column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2698/did-ancient-conquerors-punish-their-enemies-by-sowing-captured-fields-with-salt). ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/39 "2012-05-10T19:48:10Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Your problem isn’t so much that there are weeds as that there are cracks for the weeds to grow in. Is there a lazy-dude way to fill in the cracks semi-permanently so your enemy has no ground to go to? My first re-animated thread! I’ve been doing this over the past few years by vigorously sweeping away the weeds with a stiff push broom and sweeping in new limestone screen. Once in the spring and maybe once over the summer. Seems to do the trick. Pretty cheap and not bad for the environment. ---
**Author:** ![Tvaughanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@Tvaughanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tvaughanx)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611/40 "2012-06-11T23:16:30Z")
> [@Mooch](#): > > I was thinking about throwing down an assload of salt on a 12’X12’ little flagstone patio in the corner of my yard to prevent the weeds that grow up between the stones during the spring and summer. > > Would I need so much salt that it would be ridiculous? Would it even work? Would it be dangerous to my dog? Would I have to change my name to Moochicles (Mooch-i-cleez)? > > Yes, I’m a lazy dude. K bro salt will work an is not harmful to the enviroment all herbacides are bar none they are all harmfull because they are petrochemical based. So yes salt will work you can raise the ph to intorlabe lvs but to fix ur probs u need to drill the cracks add a lil salt in the whole an use high strengeth concreate with a tile mortar that fits the color cheers from the dumb farm boy [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-salt-the-earth-to-prevent-weeds/515611.md?page=3)