Weeds are the bane of any gardener’s existence, but there is one item in your kitchen that could help you get rid of all weeds in as little as an hour
Weeds can be killed in minutes without using harsh chemicals (stock photo)(Image: Katarina Molnarova via Getty Images)
Weeds are every gardener’s worst nightmare. If you enjoy tending to your outdoor space, you’ve probably spent recent weeks preparing your garden for late spring and the arrival of summer. As temperatures rise, ensuring your plants flourish and your lawn remains vibrant and healthy becomes essential – which naturally includes tackling weeds.
Weeds can sprout virtually anywhere there’s soil present. They don’t just appear in flowerbeds, containers and lawns, but can prove problematic if you have a patio or gravel pathway, as they’ll invariably find ways to emerge in even the most improbable locations.
These troublesome plants are also notoriously difficult to eliminate. They’re naturally hardy specimens with deep and widespread root systems, and frequently regrow even when the visible portion is removed. Many also possess a waxy coating on their foliage, meaning conventional weed killers don’t always penetrate effectively into the plant.
However, if you’re finding it challenging to achieve a weed-free garden this spring, there’s one technique that could prove helpful. It doesn’t rely on weed killer or boiling water, another commonly employed method for destroying weeds, but instead uses something most households already have in their kitchens.
Ifzaal, a gardening and nature specialist on TikTok, recently posted a video outlining what to do when your garden becomes overrun with weeds. All that’s required is a common kitchen staple you might already have in your cupboard – white vinegar.
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He said: “As the weather is warming up, you’ll start to notice the weeds popping up through your lawn, or through the gaps in your patio slabs. And if you’re like me, you’ll probably want to stay away from shop-bought weed killers, which often contain loads of chemicals and aren’t always safe to use around kids or pets.
“A cheaper, safer alternative would be to use white vinegar. One of the ways you can use this to get rid of weeds is to pour it into an empty spray bottle and gently spray it over any weeds that you see in your garden. But if that’s too much work for you, you can just pour the white vinegar over the weeds straight from the bottle.”
Ifzaal explained that results from the white vinegar can be seen in as little as one hour, and within three days, the weeds will be “burnt to a crisp”. The method works most effectively on dry, sunny days, as rainfall can dilute and wash away the vinegar.
However, Ifzaal stressed that this technique should be reserved solely for weeds growing between patio slabs and paving. White vinegar should never be applied to your lawn or flowerbeds, as it will “ruin” the grass and flowers you wish to preserve, while simultaneously killing off the weeds.
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How to kill weeds effectively
Manual removal
Pull by hand: Uproot weeds, ensuring you remove the entire root system, especially for perennial weeds.Hoeing: Use a hoe to sever weeds at the soil surface. Best done when the soil is dry.
Mulching
Organic mulch: Apply a two to four inch layer of wood chips, straw, or leaves around plants to block sunlight.Landscape fabric: Place fabric under mulch for extra protection.
Chemical control
Selective herbicides: Target specific types of weeds (e.g., broadleaf or grassy).Non-selective herbicides: Kill all vegetation. Use carefully to avoid harming desired plants.Pre-emergent herbicides: Prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Natural solutions
Boiling water: Pour directly onto weeds in cracks or driveways.Vinegar: Household vinegar can burn young weeds. Stronger horticultural vinegar is more effective, but use caution.Salt: Use sparingly, only in areas where you don’t want anything to grow, as salt can harm soil health.
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