Weeding Dandelions using Salt?

Hi,
I am trying to avoid using toxic chemicals in the lawn. I am interested to know if anyone has used Table Salt to remove dandelions and what their experience has been. Someone had recommended it to me as an alternative to a synthetic herbicide. I saw this video relaying some information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUqexlqbouw Thank in advance for any advice and input.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a grass seed to use in Staten Island, New York. Someone had recommended perennial rye seed.

Ah, and can anyone ID the plants in this photo? I recognize the decrepit looking dandelion flowers. What might the others be and will these be eradicated by hoe'ing or is their root structure too deep for this?

I didn't watch the video so can't comment on the specifics of what they're saying, but I wouldn't suggest using salt. It is bad for plants (all plants, not just the weeds) so if you have desirable plants in that area or want to plant things there after the weeds are dead it will cause problems. Very small quantities might not be the end of the world, but if you use enough to kill the dandelions it'll be enough to cause problems with your other plants too. If you're looking for a home-made alternative, try vinegar. Or hand pulling.

Is this your lawn? Will zoysia thrive in your place? Our yard is weed free, we probably get 10 dandelions the most and we just use a sharp knife to remove the whole plant meaning the tubers too. DH spread crabgrass control followed by weed and feed. all he does is edge and mow every 3 weeks. Belle

Did you want to kill off everything there and start from scratch? How big of an area is it? If it's not a huge area, you can lay newspaper, cardboard or heavyduty plastic to kill off the weeds

Corn Gluten is getting good reviews for a pre emergent but to kill off individual weeds selectively but without chemicals, ecrane is right about vinegar, just make sure it's the stronger horticulture stuff not the household vinegar

Zoysia is a nice thick lawn, but some people don't like the look of it when it goes dormant.
I personally like fescue fine and tall, pure fescue, we bought Jonathan Green

Thank you so much for all the help, information, and perspective ecrane3, bellieg, and flowAjen.

I used to work @ aVeterinary Hospital and we had a problem with poison ivy~ growing in the cracks of the outdoor cement runs, used for the dogs~ we used regular table salt dissolved in water. It worked great but we didn't have other plants to worry about~ It was important because some of the ivy actually started to climb the walls and while dogs don't get poison ivy ~PPL can get it from touching the dogs, that have the resin on their fur~

I use vinegar around stepping stones and in the cracks of the driveway and it works really well. If you would use it in the yard it would also turn the grass around the dandelion brown. The root of the dandelion goes pretty deep but vinegar does work. I apply it on a hot day without rain so it doesn't get diluted. It also works on other weeds and I use a sprinkler water can instead of spraying it so the weeds get a big dose and it doesn't drift over to the good plants.

I usually buy vinegar from the grocery store. The white distilled vinegar dose not work as fast and you may have to reapply it once or twice. The stronger apple cider vinegar that has not been distilled will work better. The one thing about vinegar is that once it is applied it will only affect the plants that you apply it to. There is no residue problem that you have to be concerned with, only the smell will be there for a couple of days.

It's been my experience that to use vinegar on younger plants in much more effective than more mature ones. While I have had success with vinegar from the grocery store if you can get a stronger type then you probably would be better off. Personally I have not purchased anything other than what I listed because I do not have anything else available.

One other thing don't expect to see much change for about two days. And on dandelions you will have to, again apply at least twice if not more.

Salt will make the soil sterile and you will not be able to grow anything there for a while. So I, personally would not use it.

Do not use salt. It is just as toxic as many other chemicals. The least toxic way to deal with dandelions and other weedy pests? Boiling water. Of course, it will kill anything it touches, so you have to be careful how you pour it. Every morning, after I've boiled water for my tea, I take the kettle out to my gravel paths and deal with whatever invaders are asking to be cooked. My paths, which used to be Weed Haven Recreation Area are now Weed Cemetery, Inc.

I heard you can also add soap to vinegar and it helps it adhere to the weed. I haven't tried it yet. After a few hours you can see the weeds are struggling and it does take a couple of days before the weeds turn brown but it's easier than my old method---pulling and digging them up. I need something pet safe. There is a product out called Burn Out and it has vinegar and clove oil in the ingredients. It has a really pleasant scent but is a bit pricey.

Thats right Soap does help whatever you spray stick better. I would assume that it would help the vinegar stick but I'm not sure if it would make it more effective. But if it would it would make the cheaper white vinegar do a better job. Good idea, I had forgotten about the use of soap. Of course with using soap it would not be an organic method in that most soaps have chemicals. But on the yard I don't feel that to be a problem and soap would not hurt pets, etc.

I was thinking maybe Dawn Dish Detergent. The wildlife rescuers use it for animals contaminated in oil spills and it is supposed to biodegrade. Anyway, so far I'm good with just vinegar. On hands and knees in hot humid weather and digging weeds with a screwdriver was too much. LOL