It is a natural way to banish weeds from your patio
Alan Titchmarsh has a natural way to get rid of weeds on patios(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Weeds can be hard work to deal with in gardens, especially when they appear in between patio slabs. Many unwanted plants are starting to appear now the days are lighter.
They flourish during spring as the sunlight helps them thrive in warm spots such as patios. Getting rid of weeds is challenging, as often their roots go deep into gaps and dense soil.
It can mean that even after thinking you have taken out a weed, regrowth can happen within weeks. Thankfully, garden expert Alan Titchmarsh has recommended his tip to win the “war on weeds”.
In a video on his Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh YouTube channel, he said: “When it comes to patios and terraces made of stones, where the pointing is, if you do find soil between the paving slabs and weeds growing there, a patio knife is really quite useful.”
Weeds can grow in between paving slabs(Image: Getty Images)
The simple garden tool can be used to remove weeds without the need to try and get your fingers in the patio gaps. Alan added: “If you just skim along those channels where the pointing should be and get rid of the weeds.”
A patio knife is a specialised garden tool that is L-shaped with a thin blade. This is able to dig out weeds, moss and grass from tight gaps between paving stones.
To stop weeds from coming back, Alan previously shared another natural hack for gravelled paths. All you need is a garden hoe and sunny weather.
Alan explained: “What you are trying to do with your Dutch hoe is separate the [weed] from its roots and that way it will cook once it’s exposed to sunshine.”
Sunlight alone doesn’t kill weeds, but having their roots exposed while the sun is out will do the job. Simply use the hoe to slice through the weeds at their base.
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Afterwards, leave the severed weed and keep as much gravel away from the exposed root system. As the weed has been cut, the sunshine will dehydrate the plant.
Alan explained: “Don’t try and dig with the hoe. Remember, you’re always skimming. The more of the weed root you can expose to the drying rays of the sun, the quicker they will die.”
It is best not to use a garden hoe on paving slabs as they can chip the stonework.
Instead, use the patio knife to tackle weeds that have grown there and the garden hoe for gravelled areas.
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