Weeds are a common problem for many gardeners, but Alan Titchmarsh has shared a simple, natural weed control method to eliminate patio weeds and gravel weeds without resorting to chemical treatments
Removing weeds is a constant job for gardeners(Image: HMVart via Getty Images)
Weeds only thrive when they receive enough sunlight, which is why so many appear at once during spring, and they flourish in warm spots like gravel driveways or between paving slabs.
Getting rid of weeds can be incredibly difficult, as their roots often burrow deep into cracks or compact soil, which means even when you remove the visible growth, it usually returns within weeks.
However, Alan Titchmarsh has shared a natural approach to eliminate these weeds without using chemical products or spending cash.
All you require is a simple garden hoe and a bright day, as one of the best methods to destroy weeds is to harness the very sunshine that promotes their development, reports Devon Live.
In an online video, 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.”
Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh shared a natural approach to get rid of these weeds(Image: Tim Parker via Getty Images)
How do you get rid of gravel weeds?
Sunshine on its own won’t usually kill weeds, but Alan Titchmarsh has a simple gardening technique to dehydrate them and cause them to die quickly.
Just run a hoe over the gravel and cut through the weeds at their stem. Then, leave the severed weed where it lies and try to keep as much gravel clear from the now-exposed roots.
As the weed has been freshly cut, it will be far more vulnerable, and on a sunny day, the powerful rays will completely dry it out.
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’s a simple yet effective technique for getting rid of weeds without pulling them out by hand or turning to chemical solutions that harm the environment and pose a risk to local wildlife.
A patio knife is a more practical option and works better in the gaps (Image: Getty)
Can sunlight be used to tackle patio weeds?
Patio weeds can also be dealt with using the sunlight method, though it’s worth noting that most garden hoes are designed for use in soil, making them rather unsuitable for paved areas.
Hoes are unwieldy and increase the risk of scratching or cracking the stone, so a patio knife is a much better option; it’s considerably more practical and slots neatly into the narrow gaps between slabs.
Alan stated: “When it comes to patios and terraces made of stones…if you do find there’s soil between your paving slabs and weeds are growing there, a patio knife is really quite useful.”
Simply draw a patio knife carefully along the joints, leave the weeds where they are, and allow the sunshine to parch them completely.
This technique takes only a matter of minutes to carry out, and ranks among the most effective ways to clear large numbers of weeds swiftly without spending your afternoon pulling them out one by one.
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