Weeds can make patios, paving and driveways look unsightly, even if the rest of the garden looks neat and tidy.
Removing them can be time-consuming and laborious and often involves bending over for hours on end. With this in mind, Express.co.uk has spoken exclusively to an expert on the “easiest” ways to remove weeds from patios and paving.
Jane, team leader of the gardening team at Allan’s Gardeners, has shared her advice for removing weeds from patios and paving.
The gardening expert shared two methods – a natural method and a chemical method. She said: “The easiest way to get rid of weeds naturally is to spray bleach on the weeds growing between walkway cracks.
“It will be easy for you to remove the plants in a couple of days.
“But keep in mind that a bleach solution can be poisonous to plants, pets and humans.”
Chemicals like bleach should not be used in areas around children, pets and other plants you wish to keep.
The reason bleach is so effective is that it’s highly acidic and can prevent weeds from growing back in the same area.
However, this means it can cause harm to the surrounding environment so should be used carefully and away from other plants, lawns and flower beds.
If you can’t use bleach, Jane suggests making your own weed killer from salt, vinegar and washing up liquid.
She explained: “You can easily make a salt weed-killer mixture at home. Begin with a weak mixture containing water and salt in a ratio of – 3:1.
“Salt can be increased daily until it kills the weeds. Vinegar and dish soap can be added to improve weed-killing effectiveness.
“Salt should only be applied to weeds with extreme care to avoid damaging nearby vegetation.
“Use a funnel to direct salt water to the weed to prevent splattering.
“Vinegar is a natural weed killer. Like salt, pure vinegar (white or cider) dehydrates unwanted plants.”
