Gardens are bursting with life in spring, but this resurgence also heralds the unwelcome return of weeds. Tackling them without harming your cherished plants can be challenging, even when using household remedies like white vinegar.
The goal when weeding is to preserve the pristine condition of your lawn and flowerbeds, and ditching harsh formulas for boiling water is a surprisingly effective solution. It can be used almost anywhere in the garden; between decking, in pavement cracks, and even in your lawn. A gardening guru from Dre Campbell Farms has championed this non-toxic approach, known as “thermal weed control”.
They explained: “Its whole point is to distort plant cells by shifting heat energy onto them.”
Boiling water triumphs because it can naturally seep into the soil, targeting weed roots in a way that some treatments cannot.
The expert reassures that this method won’t “harm” surrounding plants in your garden or lawn upon application.
When doused with boiling water, weeds begin to “wither extremely quickly”, rendering them frail and easy to remove.
How to kill weeds with boiling water
For optimal results, boil water in a kettle until it reaches 100C.
You’ll need to act swiftly after boiling the water for maximum effectiveness during application.
The Dre Campbell Farms experts emphasised the importance of wearing gloves and protective clothing to prevent burns while tackling weeds with boiling water.
They advised: “Be careful, but as quick as possible while making your way to the troublesome green pests. The temperature of the water will drop increasingly quickly and it’s important to be precise.”
It is more practical to take the kettle directly to the weeds, ensuring the spout is aimed directly at the invasive plants.
The gardening maestro highlighted that the scalding water should be poured specifically on the roots to avoid harming surrounding plants with the “killer liquid”.
They suggest squatting closer to the ground during the pour to minimise spillage.
The effects are instantly visible when the water is poured onto weeds, but typically, two or three hot water applications are sufficient for “permanent results”.
The primary mechanism for weed destruction is heat transfer, which effectively “scalds” the plants, leaving them too weak to recover.
A specialist from Gardening Know-How clarified that this process prevents the weeds from regrowing at their previous pace.
For enhanced effectiveness, it is recommended that the top growth be trimmed before boiling water is applied to the weeds.
This technique ensures the water targets the root system, reducing the chances of the weed returning.