There’s nothing more frustrating than a path or driveway overrun with weeds, and maintaining it weed-free can seem like an endless chore.
Weed killer isn’t exactly budget-friendly, and eradicating the pesky plants can become quite costly, particularly if you’re dealing with a large area.
I’ve previously tried a white vinegar solution, which does eliminate them temporarily, but doesn’t provide a long-term solution, so I was in search of something more enduring, Emma told the Manchester Evening News.
Chelsey, a gardening guru at Good Grow, explains that while vinegar “may well kill some small weeds”, if your aim is to permanently remove them then “vinegar will not work” as it “simply burns away the visible part of the weed”.
Even though the weed may appear and behave as if it’s dead, the roots remain intact and will eventually regrow.
She suggests using rock salt as a homemade weed killer for driveways or patios, as an alternative to harsh toxic chemicals.
“Table salt can be used as a weed killer,” she stated. “But if your driveway is infested with numerous weeds that you want eradicated for good then you’re going to have to step up your game and purchase some rock salt (the type used for de-icing roads / paths).
“Salt is a cheap, effective way to kill weeds and keep them gone. It’s versatile too, you can simply spread the rock salt by hand or dissolve it in water and spray it onto the ground.”
You can purchase a substantial bag of rock salt from Amazon, priced at £13.99 for a hefty 10kg, or 20kg for £19.99.
Upon receiving my order, I promptly sprinkled it on the weeds and let it do its job.
The results were evident in no time. Within 48 hours, the weeds had perished and only required a bit of brushing and scraping to clean up the driveway.
Vets advise caution when using this product around pets, but my dog doesn’t frequent the treated area and isn’t prone to consuming such substances – he’s more interested in socks, teddies, or cushions.
I used only a small portion of the bag to eliminate the weeds, and there’s no sign of them reappearing so far. If you’re tired of battling with stubborn greenery on your path or gravel, it’s certainly worth trying.
Rock salt is available for purchase from various retailers including BandQ, Tesco and Wickes.
