Weeds will begin to spread in autumn, becoming a total nuisance for anyone with a gravel driveway or patio.
Constant exposure to different weather conditions is the most common cause of weeds beginning to grow through gravel.
Freshly laid gravel doesn’t have anywhere for the weeds to grow, but as the gravel has time to settle, accumulate sediment or become displaced, weeds can then take root and grow.
Gravel weeds can be tricky to eradicate as these pesky plants have adapted to thrive in ground that lacks both soil and moisture. This means weeds can easily take over and grow rapidly as there are no other plants to compete with.
The roots of these weeds can also establish themselves in any nook and cranny, meaning that even if you remove the visible part of the weed, it can easily regrow swiftly as the root system will still be intact.
While gravel weeds can be removed with white vinegar or boiling water, experts at George Davis Turf on Instagram have shared another kitchen item they claim works the “quickest”.
They said: “Here’s the quickest way for removing those pesky weeds. Mix rock salt with water and spray over your gravel.”
Rock salt is one of the best methods to destroy gravel weeds if you’re seeking a long-lasting natural solution.
When salt is absorbed by plant root systems, it disrupts the water balance and causes the weed to eventually wilt and die.
The pros explained further: “Dissolve rock salt in water and use a spray bottle to apply it over the travelled area.
“This method helps cover larger areas and ensures the salt penetrates the soil to dehydrate the weeds.”
However, it’s worth noting that rock salt doesn’t distinguish between weeds and prized lawns or plants.
If you opt for this solution, use it well away from your garden when rain can’t spread the salt to your grass.
You should start seeing results within a few days, but complete die-off can take anywhere from one to two weeks.
