Gardening expert's 'safe' and 'effective' method to kill weeds in your garden

Weeds can be a relentless nuisance on patios, paving, and gravel areas in the garden, yet there's a straightforward solution to tackle them without resorting to ineffective techniques. Numerous gardening tips circulate online about weed removal from hard surfaces, with vinegar often touted as a go-to remedy; however, it doesn't quite hit the mark.

While vinegar's acidity can kill off weed foliage, it fails to reach the roots, resulting in these stubborn plants swiftly re-growing. A workaround involves combining vinegar with dish soap, which contains surfactants that dissolve the waxy leaf coating, allowing vinegar to access the root – effective mainly on young weeds.

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But for a simpler and more potent approach, gardening guru Bob has shared with the National Gardening Association his top tip: eradicate surface weeds with boiling hot water, reports the Express.

Bob explained: "A safe way to kill weeds is to pour boiling water on them. It will literally burn them, but will not harm the plants around the weeds if the water goes that far. Obviously, there will be no toxins left behind."

It might sound too easy, but boiling water effectively destroys weed roots, ensuring they don't make an unwelcome comeback, all while preserving the integrity of your patio or paving stones.

Boiling water is a cost-free and chemical-free solution for weed control, making it safe for gardens frequented by pets or children. Simply boil water in your kettle and transport it to the weedy areas of your garden's stone or gravel patches.

For those concerned about the safety of carrying a kettle with boiling water, transferring the water into a watering can may be a safer alternative.

To target weeds effectively, pour the hot water slowly at the base of each weed, ensuring it reaches the roots. The weeds should begin to wilt within hours.

Persistent weeds with deep roots might need several doses of boiling water; applying it daily for a few days should eventually eradicate them.

The main drawback of this method is its non-selective nature; boiling water will kill any plant it touches, posing a risk to nearby grass and flowers. To protect surrounding plants, cover them up or pour the water carefully and directly onto the weeds to minimise splashback.

Bob advised: "If there might be plants close by, you could cut the top and bottom out of a tin can or plastic bottle, place that collar around the weed, and then pour."

He added: "This should keep the water from running to nearby plants. Be careful if using a collar - I would recommend gloves or a hot pot holder in case it needs to be supported."

Utilising boiling water to eradicate weeds on patios and pathways throughout your garden is not only cost-effective and safe, but it's also highly efficient as it inhibits these troublesome plants from re-growing.