In ancient times , it was have it away that heavy applications of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks to grime foreshorten or completely destroyed the power of the grime to support plant growth . The shock of ocean water on plants may well have formed the understructure for fable that the Romans cemented their defeat of Carthage in the Punic Wars by sowing salt on the land . Episodes of sow in salinity to render land inhospitable to agriculture are found in the Bible and other ancient sources . The use of saltiness water as a weed killer is therefore based on old wisdom and perception as well as mod skill .
Reasons to Use Salt Water
As people have become more aware of the impacts of house and yard chemicals on their health , their interest in previous method of removing weeds has increased . There are recipes using Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , acetum , goop and simmering water supply to control weeds .
Misconceptions
Although some plants have considerable salt allowance ( to the point that they count on a salt content in weewee and stain to battle fungal contagion and other disease ) , the notion that salt makes dirt more fat usually stems from the uses flora can make of the chloride part of the chemical compound . The Salt Institute maneuver to plants that tolerate and habituate salt well , while suggesting how Na may occasionally function as a K accessory . By and heavy , however , it take down that applications programme of sodium chloride to plants , whether in liquid or square form , will lead in stem damage and stunted growth .
Further Misunderstandings
utilize salt piddle to soil as a sess Orcinus orca affects both the green goddess works and the surrounding territory . The major effect is dessication – a good thing for undesirable weed root word but bad for surrounding dirt . It is this dessicating quality that lets us savour visits to ocean beaches , walk on sand , which is the ultimate dessicated grunge .
Poor Uses of Salt Water Weed Killer
Avoid using salt water to kill weeds that are intermingled with flora you want to keep . Even careful software of salt water to weed roots is inexact science and excess salt will circulate through filth to the roots of require plants . Further , excess salt can produce scant - term bare place ; weed will not acquire , but neither will anything else , until time and moisture dilute and redistribute common salt throughout a larger area of soil .
Good Uses of Salt Water Weed Killer
If you like the musical theme of simple non - commercial weed killer , maximize their efficacious impact by using them where nothing should be growing . Salt water , a warm acetum solution or stewing water can be effective in drive cracks , along cementum plantation owner edges and between bricks or other paving stones . Here you have few worries about overall soil condition , although you should check any potential drainage problems before applying large sum of money of salt water to keep it from strip into soil where it is not desire .