Campbell Vaughn, an agriculture and natural resources Extension agent, spoke with Better Homes & Gardens about whether Epsom salt actually kills weeds.
In many homemade concoctions, the salt isn’t actually doing the killing — it’s other ingredients, like vinegar. Epsom salt doesn’t do anything to kill weeds.
What can be done instead? Hand-pull them, mulch or use herbicides, which are safe when used as directed.
“Herbicides go through a rigorous process to get approved for public use,” Vaughn said.