The most effective natural weed killer that I have found is something that you likely already have in your kitchen. I have shared my love of gardening serval times. It is something that I find theraputic and there have been a lot of benefits found in gardening.

Something a lot of people struggle with is weeds.

Ditching the Toxic Chemicals

Did you know that Monsanto’s Roundup has polluted a good portion-some reports say up to 75%- of rain water, has been linked to several types of cancer (listed as a probable carcinogen), and has even been found in breastmilk as well as urine?

Not wanting to use the chemicals frequently used today for weed control, I set out to find a natural alternative. One that I don’t have to worry about contaminating ground water with.

The Most Effective Natural Weed Killer

Honestly, I am not too bothered by weeds. Many of the weeds that grow in America are edible and a lot are medicinal as well.

Creeping Charlie, purple dead nettle, purslane, wood sorrel, chick weed, violets, plantain, and of course dandelions are all wonderful ‘weeds’ most people kill with out a second thought, but are nutritious and have medicinal properties. We love foraging in our yard.

There are a few exceptions to my love of ‘weeds’.

I love going barefoot. For as much of the year as possible, I will walk outside without shoes (even in winter unless there is snow). Growing up in the country it was pretty comon. It wasn’t until much later that I learned that there are a lot of benefits to ‘Earthing’ or ‘Grounding”. Thorny weeds make this rather unpleasant though.

The other exception is poison ivy. I am very allergic to it, so we have to be careful to make sure it doesn’t come back.

Enter salt.

Yes. Plain white table salt.

Why Salt Works to Kill Weeds

Salt (sodium chloride) draws water out of plant cells and prevents the plant from drawing in nutrients. It basically causes the plant to dehydrte.

How to Use Salt to Kill Weeds

Now, you do need to be care where you use salt. You want to avoid using salt near plants that you want.

I have found that a teaspoon of salt at the base of the unwanted plant takes care of the plant usually within a couple of days if I water it a bit to start the salt penetrating the soil. I use a funnel to apply directly to the base of the plant I want to kill.

You can also make a spray to use on the leaves themselves.

I have used salt as close as about 2 feet from a desired palnt and not had issues, however you must be very careful in application. You may notice a small brown spot were the weed was, but Ive found that they go away quickcly and the weeds do not return when I only apply 1 teaspoon.

We use it on our back patio that is brick to prevent weeds in the cracks, as well as the sidewalks and porches. We salted under our play sets outside bfore mulching under them and it has made a big difference in the weeds.

Have you found salt to be an effective natural weed killer?