Salt for weeds

[MrFoolish]

I have a narrow gravel strip round the outside of my house. Due to my lack of effort this is now rather weed infested.

Is it ok to put salt down? I believe it's an effective weedkiller but I wouldn't want to do any damage to my (brick) home.

Thanks.

[Mike4]

I've heard the same but never tried it.

I can't imagine salt having any impact whatsoever on the bricks of your house though. Others here may know better than me...

[jaizan]

I would have thought it's low risk, as most of the salt would be washed in deeper before winter.

However, I would still choose to use glyphosate instead.

[bungeejumper]

People have been using salt for hundreds or maybe thousands of years, and somehow the bricks withstood it. The Victorians used it by the tonne, and then the Edwardians added oxygen and turned it into sodium chlorate.

I'd still use glyphosate, personally, because it neutralises upon drying. But it's a politically-loaded subject, and there's some dubious science out there on the web. Some of the new non-glyphosate weedkillers (choose carefully!) seem worth a look. And a dilute solution of SBK is great for particularly stubborn weeds. Mix it with paraffin to help it penetrate more deeply.

BJ

[MrFoolish]

Thanks all. I've got some glyphosphate to use first. But I reckon I'll be giving the salt a go as well.