Spring is a great time to tackle weeds on your driveway and patio, and five experts agree on the best method
A cheap kitchen item can help you banish weeds on your patio or driveway(Image: Getty Images)
Spring has arrived in full force, bringing gardens back to vibrant life. However, alongside blooming flowers and budding vegetables, unwanted weeds also begin their annual invasion from March onwards, spreading across lawns, patios and driveways.
While weeding may rank low on your list of enjoyable gardening activities, it’s essential to stay on top of it throughout spring and summer to prevent these persistent plants from taking over.
Garden centres stock numerous weed-killing products, many claiming to eliminate weeds within 24 hours or prevent regrowth entirely. However, there’s no need to splash out on costly chemical treatments when effective natural alternatives exist at a fraction of the price.
We consulted five gardening experts on the best approach to tackling driveway weeds this spring and summer, and remarkably, they all recommended the same solution, reports the Mirror.
Luke Newnes, garden expert at Hillarys, advised: “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, recommended a comparable approach, beginning with manually removing as much of the weed as you can, then treating the spot with 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 explained. “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.”
Should you find yourself without vinegar, Andy noted that boiling water alone can tackle weeds effectively. Just pour the hot water straight onto the unwanted plants, ensuring you wear gloves and appropriate protective equipment for safety. Pouring boiling water onto the weed will initially remove it from the surface, but it won’t effectively kill the root, meaning the weed will probably grow back over time. For more stubborn weeds, you can employ this same technique, but with the addition of salt. Andy suggested mixing one part table salt with two to three parts water, as excessive salt could harm the surrounding soil. The salt dehydrates the weeds, causing them to wilt and ultimately perish.
Care should be exercised when applying salt around paving, as regular use of salt, particularly on natural stone, can compromise the structural integrity of the paving, as well as leading to 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 salt water 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, offered his advice: “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.”
Turning to the matter of stopping weeds from making a comeback, Luke Newnes advised: “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.”