Weeds are expected in the garden but during summer patios, driveways and other stone surfaces can actually become their favourite place to grow. Small cracks in concrete tend to collect dirt and moisture over time and then on hot day the area will warm up to create the perfect environment for weeds to develop deep roots.
Once weeds establish themselves beneath concrete or paving, they can be difficult to remove because only a small part of the root system needs to survive for the plant to regrow. Most weed killers, including vinegar, salt and chemical solutions, tend to destroy only the visible foliage, which is why keeping weeds under control can feel like a constant challenge. However, Dave Townsend, a gardener and founder of Growing The Home Garden, has revealed there is a very easy way to get rid of weed roots so they cannot grow back and all you need is a kettle.
Dave said: “Boiling water is a less labour-intensive and eco-friendly way to kill weeds. Pouring boiling water on the weeds will kill them fast as the hot water destroys the plant cells.”
Boiling water from a kettle can reach every part of the weed, no matter how deep its roots are, and will cook the invasive plant quickly.
It will cause weeds to wilt in a matter of minutes, then the next day the plant will turn yellow and be completely dead.
You can easily dig out the weed and throw it in the bin, or just let it fade away on its own. Either way, you can get rid of this pesky plant with hardly any effort.
What is fantastic about this weed removal method is that it costs no money, takes less than 10 minutes to do, and you do not have to handle harsh chemicals that could harm wildlife.
There is no downside to trying it out yourself and seeing if you can save yourself time on a sunny afternoon, where you would rather be relaxing rather than pulling up weeds.
How to properly use boiling hot water to remove weeds
To begin, choose a dry day, as rainfall can cool the boiling water and reduce its effectiveness.
Boil a kettle and carefully carry it outside, taking care to remove any potential tripping hazards along the way.
Hold the kettle at arm’s length to avoid splashback and slowly pour the boiling water directly onto the weed.
Within a few minutes, the weed should begin to show signs of damage, and most smaller weeds will be dead by the following day. However, larger or more established weeds may require a second treatment to fully eliminate them.
Once the weeds are gone, you can spend the rest of the summer enjoying your clean patios and driveways instead of constantly battling these unwanted plants.
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