eliminating unwanted ground foliage

[bjpmtravis]

Has anyone ever tried using salt brine to eliminate ground foliage in selected spots? For instance, in a gravel driveway?
The Romans did this to the Carthaginians 2300 years ago, and it is my understanding that nothing grows there to this day?
County extension says no environmental danger.
Anyone with any thoughts, insights, experience?
Thanks.
bjpmtravis

[Soils Alive]

Salt will kill weeds very effectively. You asked about long-term control, I don’t think it will last because salt will leach out of the soil. The problem would be if you have trees or large shrubs in the area and their root systems pulled up the salt, which could burn them significantly or kill them. The leaching or runoff could cause problems for plants on the down slope from your application. To summarize, it can work but it could also cause problems for other plants, or worse if run off carried it to a lake or water source it could cause unintended damage to aquatic life