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Salt as weed killer #896488

Asked April 06, 2025, 12:17 AM EDT

Can salt or vinegar be used to kill weeds or will it ruin the soil for future plantings?

Wayne County Michigan

Expert Response

Home remedies like salt or vinegar are not recommended for use in the garden. There are many reasons for this, but then main one being that they lack specific mix or use rates and don't identify how often to use it. Not using enough may not control the pest while using too much may be harmful to you, pets or children, beneficial insects or the environment. Here are a couple of articles detailing the pitfalls of using home remedies.

https://extension.psu.edu/are-home-remedies-a-good-solution-penn-state-extension-says-no#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20spraying%20home%20remedies,be%20harmful%20to%20the%20environment.

https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/ilriverhort/2018-04-08-homemade-herbicide-considerations-michelle-wiesbrook

Instead, we recommend that you properly identify the weed you are trying to control, then utilize Extension resources on how to culturally, mechanically or chemical manage that weed. We call this approach integrated weed (pest) management, or IPM. Penn State Extension has some great resources for identifying and managing weeds. https://extension.psu.edu/trees-lawns-and-landscaping/home-gardening/weed-management

If you have some weeds that you'd like us to help identify and provide management recommendations for, please send along some pictures and we can help with that.

Thank you for your question! Replied April 07, 2025, 10:23 AM EDT

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