Gardening expert's 3-ingredient solution kills patio weeds without harsh chemicals

Experts say you don’t need harsh chemicals to get rid of weeds (Stock photo)

With spring around the corner, it’s time to get back in the garden and spruce things up.

The first job most of us will need to tackle will be killing weeds – which can quickly flourish when the weather starts picking up (wishful thinking). While the invasive plants can be easy to spot in places like your flowerbeds, it’s much harder to deal with weeds that have started to grow in the cracks and crevices of patio slabs.

Luckily, a gardening expert has shared an ‘effective’ three-ingredient solution that will keep the weeds at bay without using harsh chemicals that could be dangerous for children.

Wendy Graham, founder of eco blog Moral Fibres, recommends filling an empty spray bottle with one litre of white vinegar and three large tablespoons of salt. Simply stir the mixture together before adding three teaspoons of washing-up liquid and spray onto any patio weeds.

“The vinegar and salt help to dry out the weeds,” Graham said, according to the Express. “Meanwhile, the washing-up liquid ensures the salty vinegar solution sticks to the leaves of the weeds.”

It is best to spray the homemade weed killer on a sunny day when it hasn’t rained for a while – and let it do its magic for one hour before rinsing off with a bucket of boiling water. The expert says this will prevent wildlife from accidentally eating the solution and getting sick.

Want big news with big heart? Get the top headlines sent straight to your inbox with our Daily Newsletter

Hannah Rowson, a gardening expert at J.Parker’s, also raves about this method. In fact, she says simply pouring boiling water from the kettle over weeds that aren’t surrounded by wanted plants could be enough to kill them off in a couple of days.

“Be careful not to splash your toes, of course!” she added. “The hot water shocks the plant, killing it within a day or two.” Rowson also recommends using lemon juice to shrivel weeds, saying the fruit’s citric acid is a great natural killer.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected]