Garden gurus are ditching white vinegar for a 'better' household item to banish pesky gravel weeds. The undesirable plants can be a real pain, popping up where they're least wanted, especially in areas of the garden that get plenty of sun and moisture.
Gravel paths and driveways are prime spots for weeds, as they collect everything from rain and dust to bird droppings, creating a perfect little haven for those unwanted plants. Wind-blown seeds, or those hitching a ride on animals or our shoes, find their way into gravel and, given the right conditions think warm, moist, and a bit of humidity they start to take root and spread.
Even if you've laid down landscape fabric or a weed membrane, those determined little green invaders can sometimes push through. Suzie Briggs, after spotting numerous posts about using white vinegar and salt to tackle gravel weeds, sought advice on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group, reports the Express.
She posted: "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 green-fingered enthusiasts chimed in with their two cents in the comments section. While they acknowledged that the kitchen duo does a decent job, they suggested Suzie try a 'better' alternative good old washing powder.
One revealed: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." Another shared their success story: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water."
A third exclaimed: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly." Tom Clifford, a gardening expert at Gardenstone, told Ideal Home that he supports this method and said: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone."
He continued: "Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds."
He also pointed out the convenience and cost-effectiveness of using washing powder: "In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers."
The reason washing powder works so well against weeds is due to its boron content, which is toxic to plants. When applied to weeds, the cleaning product causes them to start withering and dying.
For those looking to try this method, simply sprinkle washing powder over the affected area, douse with boiling water, and once the weeds have wilted and turned brown, they can be swept away with ease. For the sweeping up, you might want to consider the Deluxe Stiff Bassine Broom available at Wickes for £9.50, or perhaps the Stiff Bassine Wooden Broom from Homebase, priced at £9.
