Patio weeds will vanish when sprayed with 1 natural homemade solution

With summer now fully underway, gardens are brimming with life. However, flowering plants, fruits and vegetables aren't the only things thriving as temperatures climb, as weeds also start appearing.

Weeding may not be the most pleasant gardening task, but it's one you must keep on top of throughout spring and into summer, as they emerge across lawns, patios and driveways alike. A trip to any garden centre will uncover numerous weed-control products, all promising to eradicate weeds within 24 hours or stop roots from re-establishing. Yet there's no need to resort to expensive chemical solutions when natural, more economical alternatives are available.

In fact, after consulting five gardening specialists on the most effective way to tackle driveway weeds this spring and summer, they all recommended the very same solution, reports WalesOnline.

Luke Newnes, garden expert at Hillarys, said: "Start with a good clear-out. I like to begin by pulling out any weeds that have already pushed through. If you can, get the whole root, especially with dandelions and plantain, because anything left behind tends to grow back stronger. A simple weeding tool or even an old screwdriver works wonders for getting between block paving.

"Use a natural weed killer you probably already own. One of my favourite tricks is a mix of white vinegar, a little washing-up liquid and water. Spray it directly onto weeds on a dry, sunny day. The sun helps it work faster, and you'll usually see them wilt within hours. It's a simple, non-chemical option that's great for quick wins."

Andy McLaughlin, sales and operations director at RF Paving, suggested a similar method, with the first step being to remove as much of the weed as you can by hand, before treating the area with either vinegar, boiling water or salt.

"Mixing vinegar that has an acetic acid content between 5% and 20% with some washing-up liquid helps the liquid adhere to the roots of the weed for more effective results," he said. "Simply spritz directly onto the weeds, making sure not to get any solution on any plants nearby, as the vinegar could cause them to deteriorate.

"For the best results, try adding this solution to your gardening routine, or at least every two weeks, to ensure the weeds have gone completely."

For those without vinegar to hand, Andy explained that weeds can be dealt with using nothing more than boiling water. Pour it straight onto the unwanted plants, ensuring you take suitable precautions by wearing gloves and any other required protective equipment.

Pouring boiling water over weeds will initially eliminate them from the surface, but it proves ineffective at destroying the root system, meaning the weed will most likely reappear over time. For more persistent weeds, you can use this same method, but with salt added.

Andy advised diluting one part table salt with two to three parts water, as using too much salt could damage the soil surrounding the affected area. The salt extracts moisture from the weeds, causing them to wilt and eventually die.

Caution should be taken when applying salt around paving, as repeated use, particularly on natural stone, can undermine the structural integrity of the surface, while also causing discolouration and even erosion.

Jessica Mercer, horticulturist at Plant Addicts, said: "If the driveway weeds are small and scattered, I pull them after rain (or after I've hosed the area) because the roots slide out instead of snapping off. For tiny weeds in cracks, boiling water works well. Pour slowly so it soaks the base, and plan to repeat it on anything with a deep taproot.

"Vinegar can also help on weed seedlings, but the concentrated vinegars can be pricey and should be applied wearing eye protection. Do not spray vinegar near garden plants, since it can damage any leafy growth."

Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping, said: "Vinegar is a great natural weed killer that is cheap, widely available, and non toxic and safe to handle.

"Vinegar and other natural weed killers work best when the weather is hot and sunny. Cold weather is less stressful on plants and can help weeds survive a dose of natural weed killer application.

"Vinegar and saltwater mixes are also available online as a natural weed killer. Again, this is a good option for an area with no other surrounding plant material since salt is very toxic to plants and will stick around in soil for quite some time. Boiling water is another easy natural option for driveway weeds that can be applied with caution."

Liam Sharkey, home expert at HomeServe, said: "For a quick fix, boiling water poured directly onto weeds kills them on contact. It's free, easy, and perfectly safe around pets and children. White vinegar at cleaning strength is another good option, especially when applied on a sunny day."

On the subject of preventing weeds from returning, Luke Newnes explained: "It really does help. It sounds basic, but a regular sweep keeps seeds, debris and moisture from settling. Weeds love compacted dirt and damp joints, so keeping the surface clear gives them fewer places to anchor themselves.

"Re-sand your driveway joints. If you've got block paving, topping up the kiln-dried sand between the bricks makes a huge difference. Weeds hate tight spaces, and fresh sand helps block the light that encourages new growth. I see people skip this step all the time, and it's one of the simplest ways to prevent weeds long term."