QuestionI just read the advice on permanently killing all grass by using salt. I have a pool that uses a chlorine generator so I have bags of pool salt on hand. I want to kill grass on some small areas around the pool and lay rocks there, but I don't want to ever worry about killing grass that may grow through the rocks. The grass/weeds that are there are very hardy and persistent. I've tried the commercial grass killers, but the grass comes back with vengeance shortly after. My question is, should I use pool salt and mix it with water and pour it on the area? Or Can I just spread it over the area dry? And if I do that, should I try to dig up the weeds and mix the salt into the soil? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Answer There are many complaints about salt killing desirable vegetation in the winter when the product is spread on road surfaces. Yet these areas do not remain bare. Mother Nature hates a vacuum and she treats bare ground like one.
Salt is not an environmentally-friendly product for killing vegetation and there is no legal product that will give you the permanent results that you seek. However, you can get close to that point. Before you you place the rocks, lay down a fabric which will smother weed growth. After you lay the rocks birds, the wind, pets and people will bring in seeds to the area. Regular and timely application of a contact weedkiller will prevent a weed problem.
