The ‘best method’ for ‘instantly killing weeds’ on gravel driveways ‘without chemicals’
Gravel is commonly used for areas in gardens and on driveways, but unfortunately, wherever there is gravel, there are likely to be weeds trying to penetrate it. To tackle these pesky plants, one expert has exclusively shared an "instant" method to kill them.
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Gravel is a popular landscaping material for driveways and paths in gardens.
Laying a membrane underneath is recommended by experts to prevent weeds from growing up through the gravel.
However, one may not always be in place and gardeners could find that the material may split. If this is the case, that opens the door to stubborn weeds.
Gardening expert Nilufer Danis, founder of the website Nilufer Danis, claims that one of the “most common mistakes” when it comes to front gardens is not dealing with weeds quickly and efficiently.
Unfortunately, if your driveway is gravel, this can be a bit more tricky. But don’t worry, as Nilufer has told Express.co.uk how to “instantly kill weeds” on gravel driveways “without those harsh chemicals”.
The expert claimed that the first thing gardeners need to do is identify the weeds.
Many common garden weeds can pop up in driveways and pathways, including clover, thistle and horsetail. Once gardeners have identified the weeds it’s time to take action.
Nilufer said: “The best method for instantly killing weeds on gravel driveways is boiling water.
“Simply pour a pot of boiling hot water directly over the weed - this will instantly kill it.
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“The boiling water can also be effective at killing weeds in other areas of the garden, including paving and between cracks in concrete.”
The logic behind this is the transfer of heat energy onto the plant, leading to the distortion of plant cells.
It is more effective than air or steam and is one of the most effective energy transfer methods.
Gardeners should try to pour the water as close as possible to the weeds so that it cannot cool off in the air, otherwise, it won’t be as effective and might not kill the plants.
For those who have a “particularly persistent weed”, they might want to consider digging it up or using an organic weed killer such as white vinegar or lemon juice mixed with salt. Nilufer said: “This method is not instant, but it will gradually kill the weeds over a few days.”
The expert urged: “No matter which method you use, make sure to stay safe while dealing with weeds.
“Don’t pour boiling water near any electrical cables or wires, and always wear gloves when working in your garden.”
Once the weeds have been removed, it’s important to take steps to prevent them from returning by maintaining gravelled areas. One way this can be done is by adding gravel to any areas where it has been lost due to wear or erosion.