I’m a gardening guru – ditch white vinegar for an ‘amazing’ 95p household item that removes gravel weeds ‘in an instant’
FROM popping up between patio slabs to sprouting through cracks in a gravel driveway, pesky weeds will always appear when you least expect it.
But while many gardeners spend hours on their hands and knees trying to dig them up, it turns out there’s a much quicker and easier solution – and it’s all thanks to a 95p household item you’ll already have in your home.
And no…it’s not white vinegar.
It comes after a woman named Suzie Briggs took to Facebook page Gardening Hints and Tips and commented: “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.”
Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly
Social media user
And luckily, the homeowner wasn’t short of answers, with many suggesting she ditch the popular use of vinegar in favour of another cheap solution – washing powder.
“I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water,” wrote one.
A second penned: “I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me.”
“Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly,” commented a third.
So, how exactly does the household product work at killing weeds?
Well, one of the main ingredients in bio-washing powder is something known as boron, which is toxic to plants and will cause them to wither and eventually die, according to Ideal Home.
Not only that, but the soaps in the laundry detergent strip the weeds of the natural oils that help to protect the leaves.
Once this protective coating is destroyed, the weeds are then a target for the likes of boron, which will kill them in an instant.
Fabulous previously told how Steven Bell, the Managing Director of Paving Shopper, also championed washing powder for getting rid of weeds.
“Laundry detergent is an affordable and efficient way to tackle moss,” he explained.
”The beauty of this approach is that it requires no scrubbing; nature does the heavy lifting with the help of rainfall.”
He went on to explain that you simply need to scatter the laundry detergent over the mossy patches when they’re dry, before letting the rain wash it away.
”This method is straightforward and kind to the environment, posing no threat to the adjacent grass or plant life,” he added.
He went on to say that he’s personally applied biodegradable washing powder on a large area afflicted with moss, sprinkled it across, and left it.
”Two years on, and the moss has yet to make a return,” added the guru,” he said.
6 Spring Gardening Jobs You Can Do in 60 mins
A gardening pro, or just starting your planting journey? Nigel Lawton, a gardening expert at Dobbies Garden Centres has shared the six jobs you can do to transform your garden in under an hour.
1. Tidy up
Remove dead leaves, neaten beds and borders, remove any seeds and apply a good layer of mulch over the surface with organic peat-free compost. TIME: 60 mins
2. Design beds and borders
Trim back winter flowering plants where blooms have started to fade. Start by removing any dead, diseased or damaged branches, and get rid of any branches that cross over, Nigel says.
Then prune summer flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Lavatera and hardy Fuschias to allow room for new growth. As well as encouraging new growth in the plant by removing dead material, pruning will also allow you to control the height and shape of your plants. TIME: 50 mins
3. Create a cosy patio
If you have a patio, transform it into a cosy socialising spot.
Start by giving that a good clean with a jet wash to quickly complete the job in under an hour. You can further liven up the area by adding some garden furniture paired with some cushions, some throws, and an outdoor rug. TIME: 30 mins
4. Refresh pots
To enjoy instant colour in your garden this spring, Nigel recommends refreshing your pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes with early season flowers for a country garden effect.
Plant in threes or fives to create a impactful display with small, medium, and large plants of different heights beside your door. TIME: 15 mins
5. Lawncare
Another beginner-friendly task you can do to spruce up your garden is taking care of the lawn by cultivating the soil and making sure the area is level and firm.
Rake out any moss or dead grass, and apply lawn treatement in late spring. TIME: 15-30 mins
6. Welcome wildlife
Spring is the perfect time to welcome wildlife into your garden as small animals come out of hibernation and new birds hatch into life.
To ensure your garden is a safe space for wildlife, Nigel suggests dedicating a small section of your garden to creating a wildlife-friendly habitat with pollinating plants and places for small animals and insects to shelter.
You can create a safe space for them by stacking branches in a shaded spot to help protect them from the elements. All of this can be done in under an hour. TIME: 40 mins