‘Genius’: The weed hack dividing gardeners

Every homeowner knows the relentless battle against weeds.

They creep into driveways, invade garden beds, and cling stubbornly to fences, turning weekend relaxation into a backbreaking chore.

But a recent social media sensation claims to have found a revolutionary solution that could save hours of arduous weeding – and it involves a tool many already own.

Social media influencer Tyler Wesley, known for reacting to viral hacks, recently shared a video with his 373,000 Instagram followers that has ignited a fiery debate among green thumbs across the globe.

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“I was today years old when I learned that if you want to get rid of weeds and vines and stuff off a fence, you don’t need to sit there and pull them all out individually,” Wesley declared in his reel.

“You’ve got to pressure wash. If you use a pressure washer to break down the weeds and the vines, you can just pull them away. You don’t have to fight nothing. This is genius. I’ve got to give this a try.”

Social media influencer Tyler Wesley says pressure washing may the solution to getting rid of weeds swiftly. Source: Instagram

However, the gardening hack promising to end backbreaking weeding forever has a critical flaw, according to a Master Gardener.

The concept is simple: blast stubborn weeds and vines with a high-pressure stream of water, weakening their grip and making them easy to remove.

No more endless tugging, no more aching backs.

However, the reel quickly sparked a torrent of replies, with many online users questioning the practicality and environmental impact of the method.

“Why are men always so excited to waste water or gas rather than just do the work,” one person commented, highlighting concerns about water consumption.

Another quipped, “Or you can just be a man and use a machete,” suggesting a more traditional, albeit perhaps less refined, approach.

Despite the scepticism, some were keen to try the hack.

“Totally saved this to help my husband on his vine destroying endeavours,” one user shared, seeing the potential for a less strenuous weeding experience.

Yet, the method also drew sharp criticism from experienced gardeners.

“Um no. I’m a master gardener. If you want to spread them all over your yard do this. Dumbest idea ever,” one person warned, raising concerns about inadvertently spreading weed seeds.

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Overgrown fences are no uncommon sight.

A fence after it was cleared off weeds.

Another offered an alternative, albeit with its own drawbacks: “If you get goats, they just do it for you. I have two free roaming in my yard. Downside is they eat the things you want to keep too so that’s an issue.”

So, is there any merit to Wesley’s pressure washer pronouncement?

According to Jimms Cleaning, pressure washers are indeed “one of the most powerful cleaning tools on the market,” capable of cleaning “all kinds of surfaces in just a fraction of the time” with “nothing but water and a pinch of elbow grease.”

Their expertise extends beyond just cleaning, noting that fences are often prime targets for dirt, grime, and mildew, which can lead to “rot, breakdown and expensive repairs.”

A quick pass with a pressure washer, they claim, can “mitigate these problems.”

Crucially, Jimms Cleaning also weighs in on the weed debate: “Weeds are the bane of every gardener’s existence – but they don’t stand a chance against the power of a pressure washer. This is especially true of weeds growing near retaining walls, patios and other bricked areas,” a how-to-guide on the businesses website claims.

“Using a high-pressure setting, you can easily kill weeds and their roots in one fell swoop. No more backbreaking hours spent on your hands and knees!”

While the viral hack certainly offers a tempting shortcut to a pristine garden, homeowners are left to weigh the convenience against potential concerns about water usage and the risk of spreading unwanted seeds.

It seems the debate over this powerful gardening tool is far from over.