Expert's 'most effective' way to kill gravel weeds using two kitchen items
Expert's 'most effective' way to kill gravel weeds using two kitchen items
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Weeds that sprout between patio cracks or within gravel surfaces can be a real pain to eliminate. These pesky plants often find it easy to infiltrate gravel surfaces with their sturdy root systems. Over time, the accumulation of dust, dirt and debris in the gaps of gravel surfaces provides ample nutrients for stubborn weeds like grasses and dandelions to thrive. To combat this, Paul Nicolaides, who boasts over 30 years of recreational gardening and two decades of professional landscaping experience, has shared his top tips for weed removal. The "most effective" method, albeit time-consuming and laborious, is to manually remove the weeds using a trowel.
However, Paul recommends a simpler solution involving white vinegar, salt and washing up liquid. He explains: "Although vinegar can kill weeds using the correct application it is more effective mixed with salt. Mix your vinegar with a generous amount of salt and washing up liquid.". Rock salt can be "very effective" at eradicating weeds from gravel as it "slowly dehydrates moisture from the weeds, roots and foliage, eventually killing them". Ensure the solution is well-stirred so the salt fully dissolves, reports the Express.
Then, transfer the homemade weed killer into a spray bottle and douse your weeds. As rock salt gradually dissolves in rain, it can act as a slow-release weed killer. The specialist pointed out that tackling weeds is "best done on a warm and dry day" to ensure there's no chance of rain washing away your efforts. The only snag with this approach is the need for repeated treatments to truly see results.
For those spotting smaller weeds peppering their gravel, Paul has a scalding hot tip: just use boiling water. He advised: "Pouring boiling water onto weeds is most effective in gravel as it's easier for water to percolate to the roots.". He elaborated: "As gravel is free draining the boiling water can strike to the very core of the weed." And for those pesky little sprouts, Paul assures: "For small, less established weeds, however, a good dosage of boiling water should be enough to kill.".
