how to add salt to soil?

I have an area in my garden where want nothing to grow. it is where my dogs do their number 2`s. it at the back of my garden so it doesn't matter what it looks like. I want to stop anything growing as it makes my life a lot easy when cleaning up a nice pile of fresh poo. the area is full of weeds and grass and my dogs number 2`s like to stick to everything. it would be much easier for me if that area was just a nice flat top soil.

I have read historical books where the conquering army would sow fields with salt to prevent the defeated army from growing the crops they would need to survive.

so...........I wish to conquer this dirty little part of my garden in the same way. I know the answer may be a simple one "just through salt everywhere" but I have alwayed lived by there are know silly questions.

so..... do I just empty salt all over the area I wish not to use for anything other than a dogs toilet?

 

Not had much luck with putting salt on nettles last year, although it did make them go brown.

It soon washes out of the soil though and a fair few plants can tolerate it. Having evolved by the sea.

 

Could you pave it with slabs from Freecycle (and other such sites)? At least then you could disinfect the area every once in a while to protect your dog from any build up of lingering bacteria?

 

it is something to think about. I would just use the salt if it works. should I dilute it in water or just sprinkle it on?

 

The Romans supposedly did it after they conquered Carthage, 3rd Punic War I seem to remember. I would use the solid, maybe road salt as sold for deicing. You might need quite a bit though and hopefully your dogs don't have sensitive feet.

 

Weed supressing membrane and bark chippings might be more effective

 

Unintentional pun

 

that has been tried. my dogs love to dig lol. didn't last a week.

 

Wont an area of bare soil turn into a mud bath in wet weather.

You could use weedkiller, its probably more effective and longer lasting than salt, but I think I'd go for close mown grass.

 

there is a problem. the area in under a huge tree. it doesn't get enough light to grown a nice lawn. just some scraggly weeds and tuffs of grace.

 

Perhaps lay a membrane in the area and cover it with up to six inches of sand or gravel. Salt will not only damage the tree roots but probably make your dogs paws sore as well.

 

Tufts of Grace would be a great title for a song

Put some astro turf down

 

that's a brilliant idea. my main garden already has some. thanks!