Organic Mixture for weedcontrol-Will it leach into the water & be harmful?

[mod mom]

I found an organic recipe for weed control:

1/4 cup salt
1 gallon white vinegar
9 drops of liquid detergent

Heat salt in vinegar until dissolved the add soap.

We have a large patio of concrete pavers with river stones between them in a gridded pattern. It is large ~ 25 by 40' in almost complete shade. We constantly have to deal with weeds and tree growing up from the rocks, which are difficult to pull due to the rocks. There is gravel and sand below the pavers and rocks.

I remember hearing how the dust bowl was caused by salts from fertilizers. Does anyone know if this organic mixture for weed control can effect tree roots or leech into the water table?

[mike_c]

1. you'd have to use it by the ton for the effect of leaching to be...

...anything more than minimal.

[tularetom]

3. No you won't be using enough to cause a problem

however although it will kill all the weeds already growing it won't do anything about future weeds. You'll have to find some kind of organic pre emergent.

[Beartracks]

2. Wow, what does it work on?

And is it useful only for weeds in pavement cracks, or can it be used on actual dirt areas?

[mod mom]

4. Link for a local TV Garden segment: (OOPS NOTE IT"S 1 CUP SALT)

How can you get rid of poison ivy?

Answer:

Commercially available sprays like Round Up, Brush B Gone, etc all work fine but you MUST read the directions and follow them correctly to get the right results. The poison ivy plant must be sprayed a number of times to kill it (typically 3 or more times). The plant will look like it is dying, but it is only weakened. Spray it when it looks sick, and then spray it again. Here is a great organic recipe for a plant killer. It will kill everything it touches much like Round Up will.

1 cup of salt

1 gallon of white vinegar

9 drops of liquid soap

Mix salt and vinegar. Heat until salt is dissolved. Cool until room temperature, then add soap. Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto plant. If you are spraying anything, apply it on a HOT SUNNY day to get better results. Make sure the next couple of days are going to be dry as well. As you know, wear protective clothing (long pants, shoes, socks, long sleeved shirt, gloves). Be sure to change clothes immediately after spraying with any chemicals.

http://www.10tv.com/?sec=homeandgarden&story=10tv/content/pool/200603/1777180988.html

[XemaSab]

5. Spray it on a WARM sunny day

If it's too hot the plant stomates will be closed and the plant will not uptake any nasties you put on it. :P

[hunter]

6. Steam or flame works pretty well too.

We've got a heavy clay alkaline soil, and salty alkaline water, so I wouldn't dream of adding any more salt to my yard.

In practice, we have a few similar places in our yard, but we don't do rocks anymore. Instead we grow thyme, chamomile, etc., in the spaces, or we simply take the weed whacker to them.