Weeds are the enemy of gardeners everywhere, but there is a cheap and simple way to get rid of them without resorting to weed killer
The trick is as cheap as it is effective(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
While the weather lately hasn’t been the best, people will soon be getting back out into their gardens. Spring is a wonderful time for our gardens as the first bursts of color begin to emerge.
However, it’s not just daffodils and tulips that are showing up at this time of year. The warming weather also brings pesky weeds that can start to take over our gardens, whether they spread through flower beds or force their way through gaps in paved or gravel driveways.
While many products are marketed for killing these unwanted plants, gardeners have recommended a more natural and cost-effective alternative that you can easily create at home using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen cupboard.
A woman had posted on the Gardening UK Facebook page seeking advice on how to prevent weeds from overtaking a gravel area in her garden.
She wrote: “Is it worth putting down weed killer on my gravel now or would the rain just dilute any solutions? Also wondering if anyone uses bleach solutions to kill weeds – I have a gravel driveway and hate using Resolva or Roundup.”
Many fellow gardeners replied to tell her that she didn’t have to resort to bleach in order to keep the weeds at bay – instead, they suggested using a combination of salt and boiling water to “kill” the plants. One person advised: “Keep away from the bleach and use boiling water and salt.”
And another member of the group replied, confirming: “Yes, this works really well. We’ve stubborn brambles coming up the side of our patio and boiling water and salt is the best way we’ve found so far to effectively kill them.”
Someone else also said: “If you never want anything growing there again, use salt and hot water. It’s perfect for driveways.
“The salt instantly kills the plants and the hot water will help the weeds absorb the salt quicker and also help kill the weeds. My driveway used to be covered in weeds, I now don’t have any weeds growing up.”
According to Gardening Know How, salt is an effective weed-killer because it dehydrates the plants and disrupts their water balance. Experts suggest mixing a 3:1 ratio of water to salt to start with, using regular rock or table salt which costs as little as 40p.
Be sure to exercise caution when applying the solution to the weeds to avoid damaging any other nearby plants. It works best on weeds growing through gravel or cracks in paving.
Another suggestion from gardening pros to get rid of your weeds more effectively is to mix two other common kitchen cupboard staples, white vinegar and dish soap, together with the salt. Vinegar dries out the leaves, while the soap will help the solution stick to the plant for faster results
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