As temperatures rise and gardeners prepare for outdoor enjoyment, weeds sprouting between patio slabs can be an unwelcome sight. However, experts suggest a simple household staple costing as little as 30p can help control these persistent plants.
Andy McLaughlin of RF Paving explains that salt can be used to "dry out" weeds, ultimately killing them. He recommends preparing a diluted spray by mixing one cup of salt with three parts water to safeguard paving and surrounding soil. However, he cautions that excessive salt application may weaken natural stone, cause discoloration, or lead to erosion.
A 1.5kg bag of cooking salt from Tesco costs £1.90, equating to roughly 30p per 250g cup for each spray batch. Gardeners' World magazine confirms that salt solutions offer a "cheap and easy" method for eliminating weeds, but warns that salt can modify soil pH levels and harm other plants if it leaches into nearby soil. The publication advises using ordinary household table salt rather than rock, sea, or Epsom salts, and applying the solution only to paving and paths.
For an alternative approach, gardening specialist Ryan Walts suggests baking soda, which also contains salt that dehydrates plants. He recommends applying it directly onto weeds or mixing it into a spray solution, ideally during dry weather with minimal wind.
