Weeds can be a nuisance in gardens all year round, and there are a number of cost-effective ways to tackle them – from vinegar to boiling water
Weeds can be a pain to get rid off and crop up all year-round (Image: Westersoe via Getty Images)
Weeds are a year-round problem, with common autumn varieties such as chickweed, dandelion and crabgrass making regular appearances. Sharing her experience on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Alison Riddell revealed: “I’ve tried and tested this method.
“Use a gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt and two tablespoons of washing-up liquid. Mix it together and put on the weeds with a watering can.
“Within two days the weeds will die and after a week sweep them up. I have tried this and it works so well. It’s not harmful to pets because no chemicals, I have a cat. Nothing will clear weeds as new seeds are blown into cracks with wind but just repeat above. It’s the best natural weed killer I’ve tried.”
Gena Lorraine, a gardening specialist from Fantastic Services, confirmed that white vinegar’s acid content makes it a superb weed destroyer.
When it comes to using this method for tackling weeds, experts recommend applying it exclusively to weeds on gravel surfaces or patios, reports the Express.
White vinegar’s acid content makes it a superb weed destroyer(Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
This is because the solution will instantly kill anything it touches, making it essential to keep it well away from grass and cherished plants.
Gena added: “But it’s perfect to keep your driveway or patio clean from weeds because we usually don’t grow any useful plants there. To treat the patio weeds with vinegar, you must dilute it with water.
“The best possible proportion here is one part vinegar and two parts water. Then just pour it over the cracks, aiming for the middle sections of the weeds.”
The blend of vinegar and sunlight can quickly dry out the weeds.
Other gardening fans have suggested using boiling water as an economical solution to instantly eliminate garden weeds, especially those sprouting on driveways.
Lisa Timson advised: “Just use boiling water straight from the kettle, they will be shocked and shrivel up.”
Denise Watson shared her own experience: “I had a nightmare with weeds and had pets so couldn’t use anything shop-bought.
“However what did work really well was free and was boiling water. Pull out the weed and pour boiling water into the cracks, it kills the seeds.”
A gardening expert noted: “Boiling water is a very aggressive and effective method to get rid of weeds from hard-to-reach places. This is simply because the hot water can destroy practically every plant, no matter how tough and meaty its leaves are.”
She cautioned: “This is why this solution is never used around regular plants because it would kill them in an instant too. Using boiling water to kill weeds is easy, you just need to boil some water and pour it on the patio while aiming for the cracks where the weeds live.”
Comments are closed.