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Weeds can be difficult to remove once they’ve sprouted (Image: Getty)
Weeds are one of the biggest frustrations for gardeners. They spread quickly, compete with plants for nutrients, and can make even the neatest lawn or patio look unkempt.
To get to the root of the problem, we asked five gardening experts to share their best tips for tackling weeds. And while they each offered different techniques — from scarifying to smothering — they all agreed on the same method. Forget weed killer or baking soda—the most effective way is to remove weeds fully, roots and all.
Read more: Gardeners warned not to use weedkiller in garden
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Hand removal
Every expert agreed that physically removing weeds is the simplest — and often most effective — way to deal with them.
Chris Taylor, of christaylorgardening.co.uk, keeps it straightforward: “Hand-remove weeds and moss as soon as you notice them to prevent spreading.”
Richard Barker, commercial director of LBS Horticulture, makes the same point: “Although this method [removing by hand] can be labour intensive, you can check if you have fully removed the root of the weed to prevent it from coming back.”
Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, agrees: “The most effective way to stop weeds from coming back is to pull them out completely, from the roots. Use a hand fork or trowel to loosen the soil and make sure you get the whole root system.”
And Alex Essex, managing director and outdoor specialist at Patio Black Spot Removal Company, agrees on hand tools: “The most eco-friendly way is to avoid chemicals and do this by hand. A sharp hoe can be used in flower beds, while a weeding knife with a hooked end works well between patio slabs.”
Every expert agreed that physically removing weeds is the most effective way to deal with them (Image: Getty)Smothering weeds
Another natural method mentioned by multiple experts is smothering weeds to block their access to light. This not only kills them, but also helps protect and nourish the plants you do want.
Richard (LBS Horticulture) suggests: “Covering weeds will weaken and eventually kill them, as it deprives them of the sunlight that they need to germinate and photosynthesise.
“Mulching is another way of smothering weeds, and this will also benefit any wanted plants by helping them to retain moisture.”
Chris (GardeningExpress) gives a similar hack: “To smother the weeds, you can cover them with newspaper or cardboard. This approach blocks out the sunlight that weeds need to survive, preventing them from growing. Make sure to dampen the sheets to keep them in place, or cover them with compost for a neater finish.”
Avoid using harsh chemicals on patio weeds (Image: Getty)Household hacks for patios and paving
For patios and paving, the advice is clear: avoid harsh methods like pressure washers, and instead rely on boiling water, vinegar, careful brushing, or proper patio treatments.
Chris (GardeningExpress) suggests: “For weeds growing in patio cracks or driveways, pour boiled water directly onto them. The scalding water kills the plant on contact by destroying its cell structure.
“Vinegar is a natural weedkiller you probably already have sitting in the kitchen cupboard.” He suggests mixing vinegar with a little water and spraying it onto small, younger weeds.
Richard (LBS Horticulture) agrees that boiling water, vinegar, and salt can work — but with caution: “You can use other methods, such as vinegar, salt, or boiling water, but these should only be used on weeds between paving or on a patio.”
He warns that they can kill other plants and be difficult to apply precisely. ‘Salt can also damage the soil, as it ruins the structure of the soil and harms beneficial soil organisms,” he added. “Vinegar can affect the soil in the same way.”
Dr. Jonathan Kirby, Roxil’s paving expert, also warns against one popular approach: “A common patio cleaning method is to use a pressure washer—but put it down! They can produce impressive results, but frequent use can cause long-term problems such as surface erosion, damage weak points in the slab and destroy mortar joints. And this leaves the surface more likely to suffer from biological and weed growth issues in the future.”
Instead, he recommends pulling out large weeds, then leaving on a patio cleaner for 24 hours before using a stiff wet brush to loosen stubborn patches.
Keeping your lawn healthy stops weeds from growing (Image: Getty)Keep a healthy lawn
Several experts emphasised that the best defence against weeds is a strong, healthy lawn.
Chris (christaylorgardening.co.uk) advises: “Scarify your lawn twice a year – once in spring (March/April) and again in autumn (October/November).
“Mow on a higher setting – shorter grass makes it easier for weeds to establish, so keep it a little longer for healthier growth.”
The team at Husqvarna, gardening tool suppliers, echo this: “Healthy grass is happy grass: If your grass is kept nice and healthy, this will outcompete the weeds, which means your grass will grow, not the weeds. To get your lawn healthy, give it some love and keep it nice and watered. Top dressing a couple of times a year also adds nutrients to your lawn and helps keep it healthy.
“Mowing your lawn regularly can prevent weeds from growing; however, the trick is not to go too short. If you go too short, this can weaken the grass and give weeds an advantage – more air and light for them to grow!”
Regular maintenance
Finally, every expert agreed that weeding is not a one-time job. Regular maintenance, not a quick fix, is what really keeps weeds away.
Chris (GardeningExpress) stresses speed: “The problem is they [weeds] can take over a garden incredibly quickly, so it’s important to take action as soon as possible.”
Chris (christaylorgardening.co.uk) recommends raking and scarifying regularly: “Rake regularly – remove moss or weeds whenever you see patches forming.”
Richard (LBS Horticulture) advises: “Run a garden hoe over beds or between rows of plants to disturb and kill off weed seedlings. This is best done on a warm, dry or windy day, as this will dry out the exposed roots quickly.”
And experts at Husqvarna adds finishing touch: “Edge the weeds away: Regularly edging your lawn creates a clear boundary between your grass and flower beds, paths, or driveways. This helps prevent weeds from creeping in and spreading across your lawn.”
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