Ditch salt and vinegar for better natural weed killer hiding in the kitchen

Weeds can prove an absolute menace as summer draws to a close, but if you're fed up with pulling them out by hand, there is a far simpler method to eliminate them. Numerous gardeners who struggle to keep on top of weeds tend to reach for chemical killers, yet these can devastate your soil and render your garden toxic to birds and other local wildlife.

Many also advocate natural alternatives such as vinegar or salt, and while these can prove effective, they only work on younger weeds, and there is also the risk of damaging your patio stones. Instead, Simon Akeroyd, a gardener who has authored over 30 gardening books, has revealed that the answer is actually far more straightforward, as boiling water straight from your kettle can dispatch weeds rapidly. Simon said: "Boiling water is a solution! Use it to destroy weeds growing up through the cracks in your patio.

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"Many of the vinegars and other liquids suggested by many gardeners on social media do not get to the root of the problem. Literally. They might destroy the leaves but usually the root below survives and sends up new shoots."

Vinegar and salt can destroy weed foliage, but they frequently fail to penetrate the plant's root, meaning it will inevitably regrow unless it is a young, far more susceptible weed.

Boiling water may appear deceptively straightforward, but the intense heat will shock the entire plant, killing it off completely, roots included, significantly reducing the likelihood of regrowth.

All that's required is to fill a kettle to the brim, boil it, and then take it outside to the garden.

However, the primary concern when using boiling water is the potential risk of burns.

Before boiling the water, clear a pathway from the kitchen to the garden. Then, proceed carefully and pour at arm's length to prevent any water from splashing onto you.

It's equally crucial to pour gradually to avoid any splash back onto nearby plants or grass, as the boiling water will damage any plant it touches.

Within a few hours, the weed should begin turning brown and withering. With any luck, it kills the weed on the first attempt, but depending on how deep the weed roots extend, you may need to repeat the process a second or third time.

Nevertheless, this is such a straightforward and efficient method that having to do it multiple times shouldn't prove troublesome, and should thoroughly clean your patio so you can begin autumn without worrying about weeding.