Weeds can spring up anywhere in your garden, but they can be incredibly annoying to remove if you find them growing on gravel.
Gravel weeds need to bury into the loose stones and fabric in order to reach soil so have long roots that can be difficult to destroy if you want to stop these pesky plants growing back.
John Devlin, a paving expert and founder of Landscaping Cost, has shared that getting rid of weeds can be surprisingly simple – and not require spending ages pulling them up or using chemical products.
He said: “Tackling weeds in your gravel driveway doesn’t mean you must resort to harsh chemicals that might spoil your garden.
“Many eco-friendly, kind-to-the-earth methods can keep your driveway looking splendid without the guilt.”
The best sustainable methods to remove gravel weeds
Use boiling water
It may seem too obvious, but boiling hot water is one the most effective ways to kill weeds as the extreme heat will destroy the plant cells and cause them to break down.
What is fantastic about this method is that if you pour the hot water directly at the base of the plant it will reach the roots to stop it growing back.
John said: “Who knew a kettle could become your best ally in the fight against weeds? The boiling water technique is brilliantly simple and devastatingly effective against weeds.
“Pouring boiling water directly onto the weeds causes them to wilt and die off quickly, root and all.”
Mix up a homemade weed killer with kitchen ingredients
You can use white vinegar, salt and a few stops of washing-up liquid to make a natural solution that will kill weeds quickly.
John said: “The vinegar’s acetic acid desiccates the weeds, while the salt dehydrates them. The soap helps the solution stick to the leaves.”
All you need to do is mix together the solution in a container and wait for a sunny day to pour it on the weeds.
White vinegar and salt on its own will not kill weeds as the combination cannot penetrate the plant exterior, but washing-up liquid – as it contains surfactants – can, which is why this solution is so effective.
Just be careful not to splash this solution on your grass, or any other nearby beloved flower beds, as it will kill any plants it touches.
Buy an eco-friendly commercial weed killer
If you do not mind spending some money then there are many natural weed killers you can buy at local garden centres.
Just be careful to do your research when looking at labels to make sure it is safe to use in your garden.
John said: “These products use natural ingredients, like citrus or clove oil, which act as natural herbicides.Check the labels for non-toxic certifications to ensure you’re genuinely using an eco-friendly product.”
