Remove weeds on sidewalk - with s alt?

Weeds on the sidewalk do not have to be removed with chemical agents. We'll tell you if s alt is really a good alternative.

Gardeners or property owners are bothered by the same weeds (or rather weeds) every year. Weeds on the sidewalk are particularly difficult to remove because there is little clearance between the joints. However, there are simple home remedies that can help here.

S alt is widely used and practically always available. But what is this home remedy all about? We explain how s alt works as a weed killer, but also the risks that come with it.

With s alt against weeds - this is how it works

If you want to use s alt to kill the weeds in front of your house, follow these steps:

1. Create a saline solution from water where the salinity is about 10 percent
2. Then apply the solution to the affected areas on the sidewalk

The dissolved s alt is then immediately absorbed by the plants. It drains the liquid from the plant and thus it has no chance to grow. The roots are also completely destroyed by the saline solution, making it impossible for the weeds to sprout again.

The walking area in the garden stays free of weeds and also looks very neat. The saline solution can be sprinkled into even the smallest cracks in the paving slabs without damaging them.

But there are also risks associated with the use of s alt. Below we present these and show some alternatives.

S alt as a weed killer: effective but not recommended

Yes, the saline solution works, that's undisputed. Nevertheless, experts and we, the authors of Gartentipps.com, advise against s alt. The s alt penetrates the soil and changes the conditions in the soil and in the groundwater. In addition, s alt is officially one of the prohibited substances. Section 6 of the Plant Protection Act regulates which substances are permitted and prohibited. House and garden owners are not allowed to use pesticides on any open spaces that are not used for gardening. This applies to all paths and places around the house. S alt and other home remedies, for exampleVinegar, also fall under the ban. Large fines can even be due.

Alternatives to s alt as a weed killer

What helps when weeds sprout between the paving joints and along the way, but you want to do without the harmful s alt? Weeding is tedious work, and it does not remove weeds permanently, the roots are often very deep and difficult to pull out.

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Water that is as hot as possible, preferably boiling, is completely harmless to the soil and groundwater. This completely destroys the roots of the plants. The various weeds die and can be completely removed from the soil. Just pour the hot water on the weeds. Then let it dry well, then pull out the plants.

Flamming works just as well. The so-called “thermal weed control” is done with a flamethrower, also known as a weed burner. The flaming destroys plants and roots permanently, so that you have weed-free paths and seats for a long time.

Conclusion: S alt is no better than chemistry

If you want to do without chemical pesticides, it is better to choose an alternative to s alt. Although the home remedy is effective, it also harbors risks for the environment. In addition, the use of s alt is even officially forbidden. It is therefore better to use hot water as a household remedy. If this seems too much of a hassle and you want to control weeds over larger areas, flaming is the best method.

Larger pavement joints can also be wonderfully planted with plants and thus suppress wild herbs in a natural way.