Weeds can thrive in areas of the garden with high moisture levels and such little sunlight – but an expert has shared a ‘better’ alternative to vinegar and salt
Weeds possess the pesky knack for flourishing in garden spots where moisture abounds and sunlight is scarce. Gravel areas can accumulate rain, dust, bird droppings, and other detritus, creating a fertile breeding ground for weeds. Windborne seeds, animal fur hitchhikers, or those unwittingly carried on footwear can all lead to weeds sprouting in gravel.
Once these seeds find the right conditions moist, warm and humid – they begin to grow and extend their roots. Even with landscape fabric or weed membranes in place, some stubborn weeds manage to pierce through and emerge.
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Suzie Briggs – after coming across suggestions of using white vinegar and salt to tackle gravel weeds – sought guidance on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group.
She queried: “I’ve seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel covered drive and can’t seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. Would they work on the drive or is there something better?”.
“There are no other plants in the vicinity and it’s not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future.”
Fellow group members responded in the comments, concurring that while these kitchen staples “work well” they suggested she opt for a “better” domestic solution – washing powder, reports the Express.
Simone Mister commented: “I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me.” Sarah McEvoy shared: “I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water.”
Vera Hill said: “Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly.”
Chatting with Ideal Home, Gardenstone’s gardening expert Tom Clifford concurred with these tactics, advising: “Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it’s made from delicate stone.”
He explained: “Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn’t harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds.”
Further illuminating on its benefits, he added: “In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers.”
When considering the science behind it, washing powder’s inclusion of boron spells doom for garden invaders, as this element is toxic to plants, causing them to shrivel and perish upon contact.
For those utilising washing powder against unwelcome greenery, simply douse the gravel or patio crevices in the powder, then drench it with boiling water.
Once vegetation has turned a tell-tale brown and begins succumbing to defeat, a quick sweep should clear them out. For effective removal, a sturdy broom such as Wick’s Deluxe Stiff Bassine Broom, priced at £9.50, or even Homebase’s comparable Stiff Bassine Wooden Broom at £9 should do the trick.