Having a gravelled area or patio can be aesthetically pleasing until weeds start popping up between the stones – ruining the whole look with unsightly grassy invaders and stubborn woody plants like broadleaf, henbit, purslane, chickweed and dandelions. Wondering how to get rid of those pesky weeds from your gravel without the back-breaking work?
Well, ridding your garden of these intruders is quite the battle because weed seeds constantly ride the wind or tag along with birds and insects. They’ll germinate anywhere they find a bit of dirt, moisture and sunshine. But there’s no need to panic, as you’ve got options to halt their spread and send them packing swiftly.
One savvy gardener on the Gardening Hint and Tips Facebook page has shared a game-changing weed-killing trick she learned and tested out herself – and the results are something to talk about!
Get rid of the usual chemical warfare from the hardware store, and listen to Trudy Hurd who threw down the gauntlet using nothing more than simple salt and boiling water, an eco-friendly tip.
Her post read: “Someone on here said about killing gravel weeds with boiling water with salt and yes in less than 24 hours the weeds are wilting just thought I’d share.”
In a further nugget of wisdom, Trudy highlighted that while this method is top-notch for gravel driveways and patios, one should use it with care near beloved flowers or lawn areas to prevent any unintentional plant casualties.
Meanwhile, the green thumbs over at John French Landscape Design, boasting an impressive 40 years of gardening know-how, have given a green light to the potent combo of salt and boiling water for quelling the relentless assault of weeds on gravel and patios.
Gardeners are buzzing about the latest tips for homemade weed control, with experts sharing: “Salt is most effective as a herbicide when it is mixed with water.
“The recommended strength of the saltwater mixture depends on where you plan to apply the herbicide.”
They continue, stressing cautious application: “If you are applying the salt in an area where the long-term health of the soil is not an issue a much stronger mixture can be made such as a two to one or three to one.”
While a robust salty solution kills weeds, it may later turn the soil infertile by upsetting its pH levels.
It’s also suggested to carefully target weed leaves and never drown the roots. The pros advise that saltwater solutions should be aimed directly at the weed’s foliage. Avoiding root-soaking is vital to protect the earth underneath.
Spray bottles or jugs? Both work for application, suggest the experts, but beware of friendly plants catching any overspray.
And they have a hack for white vinegar too: While it’s been debunked on its own, mixing it with salt and water turns it into a garden vigilante – though, like salt, it could also be a soil pH killer.
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