Salt as a Weed Killer for Blackberries

Table Salt

• Salt is a non-selective weed killer that persists in ground soil. Because salt is difficult to eradicate from ground soil, it is not often used as a weed killer. Salt in soil is detrimental to many plants and can negatively affect the growth rate and development of other plants surrounding the blackberry brush. Because salt is non-selective, it will affect all plants, not just weeds. Salt is harmful to weeds and other plants because of its capacity to draw water from living substances. Salt acts on root systems by disrupting water uptake. The plant will shrivel and die when salt is interred near its root system.

Glyphosate

• Though table salt can cause major damage to soil and gardens, glyphosate is a recommended chemical herbicide that uses salt as a main ingredient. Salt is a chemical compound and there are many variations of its elemental formula. Isopropylamine salt, trimethylsulfonium salt and diammonium salt are the salt compounds commonly used in commercially sold herbicides. These compounds are also broad spectrum herbicides that kill any plant that is exposed to the substance. Unlike table salt, these chemical salts do not leach into the soil and they stay in the area in which they are applied. The salts effectively disrupt root systems and dehydrate a plant. These herbicides are successful at eliminating blackberry brambles but you will still have to dig out the dead plant and remove the root system to prevent suckering and future plant growth.

Digging

• If human-made chemical herbicides are not something you wish to use on your blackberry bushes, you may have to rely on manual removal. Remove blackberry bushes by digging out the crown. Removing the large root ball is the easiest way to get rid of the bush. Outlying, minor roots can remain in place. Be aware, that this is an annual process. Once you dig out the main bush, you will have to remain vigilant and dig out any smaller, emerging bushes. After several years, the process is usually successful and new plants do not gain hold. This method is preferred over chemical and other salts in dense garden areas because the blackberry bushes are removed without damaging surrounding plants and soil.

Cutting

• Cutting and mowing vines and new growth down to ground level during the spring season has been an effective means of non-chemical and non-salt removal. Enterprising gardeners and landscapers have employed grazing animals, like goats, to eat the blackberry bush and vines. This method has also been successful and provides an additional benefit: no need to dispose of dead branches or waste. The grazing animals consume it all.