Weeds can be a real eyesore, spoiling the look of your patio and gravelled areas, much like moss on patios and lawns.
Gardening buffs have shared countless hacks to get rid of weeds, but there’s always the risk that the chemicals used could harm your garden’s ecosystem, patio, paving, gravel or even your beloved plants.
One commonly suggested tip is to spray white vinegar on the weeds. However, patio expert at Armstrong Cheshire, Simon Wardle, has cautioned against this, saying: “This is not always advisable, as the acid can damage the surface of the stones, particularly limestone or concrete pavers, as well as being harmful to wildlife and plants.”
Instead, Simon has a nifty trick up his sleeve that’s perfect for those who love a hot cuppa – using boiling water from your kettle as the “perfect solution”.
Whether you’re dealing with mature or newly sprouted weeds, the expert assures that this clever hack “will remove unsightly weeds from your patio and gravel for free”.
Simon elaborated: “This targeted method not only means your patio will end up weed-free, but it ensures there’s no damage to your patio, or the environment, as there is no leftover residue left around.
“You should start to see results in minutes as the boiling water breaks down the weed – with full results in hours.”
To put this hack into action, simply fill your kettle with water and let it boil completely.
A kettle of boiling water might just be the garden hack you didn’t know you needed to combat pesky weeds. Simon’s top tip for green thumbs is to carefully carry a closed kettle out to the patio, aim directly at the offenders, and slowly drench each weed thoroughly.
He promised gardeners that if they “wait for the magic to happen”, they’ll see the results “in minutes”, insisting on a repeat performance at any hint of returning unwelcome growth.
What makes this hot water trick so incredibly potent? Well, it all boils down to the fact that it “scalds the weeds by killing the leaves” – these leaves are what catch sunlight allowing weeds to flourish and stay resilient.
The genius doesn’t end there as Simon pointed out that the hot water does a stellar job of seeping into cracks to help stupefy and even dislodge the tenacious taproot.
While this method works wonders on hard-to-please areas like driveways, patios, and gravel paths, he warns that gardeners have two strict no-go zones for this boiling remedy.
Simon underscores the importance of steering clear of lawn weeds with your kettle arsenal since hot water “will kill” both blade and root with its intense heat it can strip leaves of protective layers and trouble their roots with frequent use.
He also cautions against going anywhere near prized garden plants with the boiling onslaught. The high temperatures can inflict lasting damage, particularly on younger plants.
