Weeds will grow in the garden wherever there is space, including on patios, driveways and pathways.
While they are simply plants in the wrong place, they can end up competing with nearby plants for sunlight and water, meaning many gardeners opt to get rid of them.
Genna Lorraine, a gardening expert at Fantastic Services, shared a variety of methods to banish weeds, including using boiling water.
She said: “Pouring boiling water on weeds can instantly kill them, as well as any seeds that may be dormant in the soil.
“It’s brilliant for walkways, garden paths, and driveways, but not lawns.”
The temperature of boiling water will collapse the plant’s cell structure and kill it instantly and for good.
Some hardy weeds may need more than one boiling water treatment, but make sure to never use it near other plants.
This is because it could kill them off too, ruining the look and handwork put into the garden.
The expert continued: “To manage weeds, mulch the soil. It blocks sunlight from weeds, inhibits their growth, and helps retain moisture.”
Mulch can be purchased or made at home using garden compost, wood or bark chipping, used to lay over the soil as a covering.
It can also be homemade leafmould, made using leaves which are left to decay over a couple of years.
The expert added: “Mowing the lawn can be an effective deterrent. The plants will wilt and stop producing seeds, which will eliminate them. Just make sure you attach a basket to your mower rather than tossing the clippings on the grass.”
Make sure the grass is completely dry before mowing it as this could cause damage to the mower.
Gena noted: “Annual weeds should be taken care of before they have the chance to set seed. Consider pulling them out the ground after the rain has softened the soil, so you can get the complete root systems.
“If you have a weed problem and don’t mind using chemicals, consider a systematic weed killer.”
