A gardening expert has shared a simple, natural method to eliminate weeds from patio cracks without using chemical weed killers. Philip Baron, who runs the Ecologicaltime YouTube channel, recommends using swimming pool salt to kill unwanted grass and weeds between paving stones.
Baron demonstrated the technique on his driveway, using a 25kg bag of swimming pool salt. He scattered the salt along the affected areas, brushed it evenly into the cracks, and then soaked it with a hosepipe. "You want that salt to get in between the cracks," he explained. "We want that salt to seep into the ground around the bricks so that it kills the weeds and the grass."
Within a day, the plant material began turning dark green, a sign it was dying. After five days, the weeds had completely died, and three weeks later, more than 99% of the driveway was clear with no visible regrowth. Baron noted that a few spots still had grass and would require a second treatment.
However, Baron cautioned that salt treatment has drawbacks. It can increase the risk of bricks cracking in freezing conditions, and may cause white staining (efflorescence) on porous bricks. He advised avoiding salt near desirable plants and warned that the treatment will need repeating as it does not stop regrowth permanently.
For best results, Baron recommends using salt on non-porous bricks. If white discolouration appears, rain or a hose can clear it. The method offers a natural alternative to chemical weed killers, but requires careful application to avoid damage.
