Although sea salt can be detrimental to plants, when used in moderation, it can provide numerous benefits to your garden plants. This is because salt contains minerals that help promote growth in your garden. Here is how you can safely use sea salt in your garden.
Ways to use sea salt in the garden
Sea salt contains minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, all of which enrich garden soil and promote healthy plant growth. When used correctly, the sea salt can effectively prevent many garden issues that may arise in your garden.
1. Controls snails
Using sea salt in your garden can help control slugs and snails. Sea salt is not a friend of snails. The salt draws the water out of slugs, dehydrating them and decreasing their population, which can benefit your plants from being destroyed. When salt comes into contact with snails, they attempt to produce mucus to wash it off, which leads to their dehydration. If you can’t pick snails by hand, try sprinkling salt on them or around your plants.
2. Used to kill weeds
Sea salt provides a natural way to terminate weeds in your lawn or garden. Since the salt is primarily composed of sodium chloride, it can kill weeds by dehydrating the plants, disrupting the internal water balance of the weeds. To make you create your own herbicide, fill a spray bottle with a ratio of water and salt to get the best results.
3. Can fertilise your plants
When used as a fertiliser, sea salt can increase your plants’ growth, resulting in better-tasting crops, and allow your plants to have a greater resistance to pests and diseases. Salt contains iron, calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals. When using salt on your plants, be cautious, as excessive use can cause the roots to dry out. This may disrupt your garden soil’s natural balance. Therefore, apply sea salt in moderation.
Compiled by Chumasande Matiwane
First published on Garden and Home
Also see: Essential tips for keeping your plants healthy while you’re away
