Many householders use salt or vinegar to get rid of weeds in their garden or patio area but there’s an even better solution
A gardening expert has issued advice on the best way to remove weeds(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Gardeners are being advised of a simple and easy way to remove weeds from their outdoor space. And it involves using something everyone has in their homes.
Some people use chemical killers to do the job, but this can destroy your soil and make your garden poisonous to birds and other local wildlife. Many also recommend natural alternatives like vinegar or salt.
But while they can be effective, they only work on young weeds, and there is also the possibility of them harming your patio stones. Instead, Simon Akeroyd, a gardener who has written over 30 gardening books, has shared that the solution is actually much simpler, as boiling water from your kettle can kill weeds quickly. This comes as householders are being asked to leave piles of grass clippings directly on their lawns to protect them during hot weather, as reported by ChronicleLive.
Simon said: “Boiling water is a solution! Use it to destroy weeds growing up through the cracks in your patio.
“Many of the vinegars and other liquids suggested by many gardeners on social media do not get to the root of the problem. Literally. They might destroy the leaves but usually the root below survives and sends up new shoots.”
Vinegar and salt can kill weed foliage, but they often cannot reach the plant’s root, which means it will always grow back unless it is a new, much more vulnerable weed, reports the Express. Boiling water may seem too simple, but the extremely hot temperature will shock the entire plant to kill it off, including the root, so there is less chance it will grow back.
How to use boiling water to get rid of weeds
All you need to do is fill a kettle to the top, boil it, and then carry it out into the garden. However, the biggest obstacle when using boiling water is that there is a risk of it burning you.
Before boiling the water, clear a path from the kitchen to the garden. Then, walk slowly and pour at arm’s length to prevent any water from splashing on you.
It is also important to pour slowly to avoid any splash back on any plants or grass nearby, as the boiling water will harm any plant it comes in contact with. In a few hours, the weed should start turning brown and drying out.
Hopefully, it kills the weed on the first try, but depending on how deep the weed roots are, you may need to finish it off a second or third time. However, this is such a quick and easy method that having to do it a few times should not be a bother, and should completely clean your patio so you can start autumn without worrying about weeding.
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