Now that the sun is shining, many people are dusting off their barbecues, but weeds sprouting around the property can make gatherings unsightly. Gravel, driveways and most patios create the perfect conditions for weeds to flourish.
These areas capture moisture beneath the stone surface, which means weeds will perpetually return no matter how frequently you attempt to eliminate them. Nevertheless, you do not need to depend on shop-bought weed killers packed with harmful chemicals. There is one straightforward natural ingredient that will destroy weeds and prevent them from returning.
Gardening specialist Caitlin Houston uncovered the “brilliant” technique of using washing-up liquid to eliminate weeds around her garden and was thrilled with the outcome.
Caitlin explained: “Did you know one of the uses of soap is to help kill weeds? I didn’t. Soap is not only tough on grease soft on hands, it is also tough on WEEDS soft on the environment.”
You will need:
- 450ml of white vinegar
- 120g of salt
- 1 tablespoon of dish soap
Salt will also dehydrate plants and will likewise disrupt the plant’s capacity to absorb moisture and stop weeds from being able to develop in the gaps of patios or gravel pathways.
However, white vinegar and salt cannot penetrate the waxy coating on plant leaves which means it will only destroy foliage as it cannot travel down to the root system to eliminate weeds entirely.
This is why washing-up liquid is needed to transform white vinegar and salt into an effective weed-killer, as it can break down the natural oil on plants, leaving them without a protective coating.
Method
All you need to do is pour the white vinegar into an empty spray bottle, then add the salt and screw the nozzle tightly on top.
Give the bottle a shake until the salt is fully dissolved in the vinegar, then open the bottle once again and add washing-up liquid to the solution.
Only use this homemade solution on a sunny day in sunlight to enhance the effectiveness of the vinegar and salt.
Spray the mixture directly onto the centre of the weeds. Ensure to coat all the leaves and pour the mixture on any visible roots.
Be careful not to get any of the spray on any flowers or nearby grass as this lethal solution will kill any plants it comes into contact with.
After a few hours, you should notice the weeds beginning to wilt and turn brown. After one day the weeds should be completely dead at the root.
For larger weeds, you may need to apply this solution again to kill it completely.