Gardeners frequently encounter countless cleaning and gardening tricks that claim to tackle everyday issues. Salt and acidic white vinegar rank among the most favoured pantry staples for tackling weeds, yet, according to a paving specialist, they’re not as successful as many believe.
Cass Heaphy, Digital Director at Paving Direct, has revealed the most efficient methods for eliminating troublesome weeds from your paving. For block paving on driveways, he recommends “pulling anything that will come up by hand,” while for persistent weeds that “cannot be easily pulled up,” a weeding implement or scraper should prove effective. For a hands-free approach, two cupboard items will suffice, said Cass.
The paving expert warned: “Do not use salt to kill weeds as this can damage paving.
“It can also harm soil health and prevent future growth if used on weeds in other areas of the garden.”
This same warning extends to white vinegar, which can accidentally destroy plants if sprayed onto them whilst trying to eradicate weeds.
For those wanting a budget-friendly yet powerful remedy, baking soda or boiling water might be the solution. Baking soda is considered the “simplest and safest way to soften up and kill weeds.”
The paving experts suggest simply sprinkling baking soda over your patio slabs and sweeping it into the crevices. They advise following this up by pouring boiling water down the gaps.
It’s crucial to aim the water close to the weeds to prevent harm to surrounding plants. When applied properly, the mix of baking soda and hot water not only eradicates the roots but also facilitates their removal.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is essentially a salty alkaline powder that dehydrates and kills weeds in their tracks.
Ted Bromley-Hall of UK landscaping materials manufacturer IBRAN told Ideal Home: “For the weed, it’s death by thirst!”
This pantye item is good at desiccating plants with its slightly alkaline pH and dries them up so quickly and effectively that it’s impossible for them to rehydrate.
Paving Direct’s experts assert that by repeating this method every few weeks, “you’ll easily be able to stop grass or weeds growing between slabs.”
A pressure washer can more forcefully oust stubborn roots, though each spot should receive about half a minute of attention to ensure thoroughness.
However, the specialists caution: “It’s worth noting that this approach should not be regularly administered.
“The pressure of the water can break down the mortar that keeps your pavers in place.”
With this in mind, it’s advised that you make use of a pressure washer only once per season to flush out any particularly stubborn weed growth.
