7 hours Ago By Katherine McPhillips
Weeds have a frustrating habit of creeping into the cracks in driveways and patios , but it is essential to get rid of them in April before they become a full-blown invasion by summer. Since weeds are just beginning to grow in spring, they are much easier to remove at the moment, but if ignored, their roots can expand and damage stone surfaces over time. It may seem obvious to just spray a chemical weed killer, but many gardeners can be nervous about using them if they have children or pets running around their property .
Andy McLaughlin, an expert from RF Paving has shared that it is possible to kill weeds and stop them from coming back using only natural remedies you likely already have in your kitchen. He said: “As well as being damaging to the environment, chemical weed killers can be harmful to wildlife, pets, and humans.” Spring is the ideal time to tackle weeds naturally, as they’re still young and just beginning to grow, which makes them easier to eliminate.
Natural weed control, like many gardening methods, has its pros and cons, so Andy spoke to The Express to share some of his trusted techniques for gardeners to explore the best options. Andy said: “Manually uprooting them with weeding a knife ensures the root is removed and not left in situ, and is a very effective way of removing them, although it is not very helpful to the maintenance of the removers’ knees or back! “Using some readily available natural solutions like boiling water or household vinegar can also be effective to a certain extent, but for more stubborn weeds or if things like this are part of a professional set-up, a gas-fed weed wand is very effective, scorching the weeds, then brushing away the waste.” Simply grabbing the weeds and pulling them will remove the entire root, making it one of the best methods to completely stop these pesky plants from growing back.
However, this can be incredibly time-consuming, and may not be practical if you have a large driveway or patio infested with weeds. Burning weeds with a weed wand provides nearly instant results, making it one of the easiest methods if you have the money. But it comes with a fire risk and may not be suitable in dry conditions or for those who are uncomfortable handling it.
If you wish to use a weed want the key is to wear protective clothing and maintain the proper distance, as too close you risk scorching the stone but too far away and it will not be effective. White vinegar is a very simple way to dry out weeds and kill them without chemicals, but it should be noted that this solution on its own cannot penetrate deep enough to target the weed roots, meaning they can quickly grow back. It is best to try using a white vinegar solution in spring, as it is when weeds are young and have shallow roots, so it is more likely to be effective.
You can use white vinegar to kill weeds, but you need to make sure to mix it with washing-up liquid, as it will help the white vinegar stick to the plant and work its way down to the roots. The absolute best way to kill weeds with white vinegar is to first use boiling water, as this will soften the weed and allow the vinegar and washing-up solution to soak deeper into the plant. Natural remedies can eliminate patio weeds, but make sure to use a combination of methods to give you the best chance of targeting the roots and keep your patio looking pristine throughout the warmer seasons.
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