Banish gravel weeds using household item that's 'better than vinegar'
Weeds possess the pesky knack for flourishing in garden spots where moisture abounds and sunlight is scarce. Gravel areas can accumulate rain, dust, bird droppings, and other detritus, creating a fertile breeding ground for weeds. Windborne seeds, animal fur hitchhikers, or those unwittingly carried on footwear can all lead to weeds sprouting in gravel.
Once these seeds find the right conditions moist, warm and humid - they begin to grow and extend their roots. Even with landscape fabric or weed membranes in place, some stubborn weeds manage to pierce through and emerge.
Suzie Briggs - after coming across suggestions of using white vinegar and salt to tackle gravel weeds - sought guidance on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group.
She queried: "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 group members responded in the comments, concurring that while these kitchen staples "work well" they suggested she opt for a "better" domestic solution - washing powder, reports the Express.
Simone Mister commented: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." Sarah McEvoy shared: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water."
Vera Hill said: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly."
Chatting with Ideal Home, Gardenstone's gardening expert Tom Clifford concurred with these tactics, advising: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone."
He explained: "Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds."
Further illuminating on its benefits, he added: "In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers."
When considering the science behind it, washing powder's inclusion of boron spells doom for garden invaders, as this element is toxic to plants, causing them to shrivel and perish upon contact.
For those utilising washing powder against unwelcome greenery, simply douse the gravel or patio crevices in the powder, then drench it with boiling water.
Once vegetation has turned a tell-tale brown and begins succumbing to defeat, a quick sweep should clear them out. For effective removal, a sturdy broom such as Wick's Deluxe Stiff Bassine Broom, priced at £9.50, or even Homebase's comparable Stiff Bassine Wooden Broom at £9 should do the trick.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
People urged to put bowl of water on windowsill as heatwave hits Wales
People urged to put bowl of water on windowsill as heatwave hits Wales The Met Office has said the UK is set to be hit by a heatwave this week - but there is a cheap and easy way to keep your home cool as temperatures soar As the weather heats up once more, households are being advised to place a bowl of water on their windowsill to help keep their homes cool. The Met Office has predicted another heatwave will be hitting Wales this weekend, spanning from Friday to Tuesday. As warm temperatures are already setting in the heatwave itself is expected to kick off on Friday, August 15. The mercury is expected to climb into the upper 20s, and even lower 30s, particularly in the southeast where temperatures could reach 33°C. The Met Office predicts that Saturday appears set to be the hottest day in this time period with places like Monmouth, Newport, and Chepstow potentially reaching that 33°C mark For those staying indoors experts suggest a simple trick to reduce indoor heat using just a bowl of water. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . For those without access to costly air conditioning units an affordable and effective alternative is to strategically place bowls of water around the home. Positioning a bowl of water on your windowsill or bedside table can aid in cooling your room through a process known as evaporative cooling. Article continues below In essence as water evaporates it enters the air and lowers the air temperature. This principle mirrors how evaporative air conditioning units function, adding moisture to the air to cool it down, reports the Express. Appropedia advises: "Water can be used to cool a room when you don't have air conditioning or want to save electricity. Evaporation is the best method and these methods are often referred to as a 'swamp cooler.' "Find a few round bowls such as fishbowls. They should be medium to large in size. "Fill with water. Place the bowls under a window. Every time the window is open the breeze will flow over the bowls of water and help to cool the air in the room. "This method can also be used in large containers outdoors provided you don't live where mosquitoes are a health problem." For enhanced cooling effects place ice cubes in a water-filled bowl and direct a fan towards it. Article continues below As the ice dissolves the chilled air will circulate throughout the room, providing relief from the heat.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Weather maps show the seven parts of Wales set to be hammered with rain
Weather maps show the seven parts of Wales set to be hammered with rain Huge downpours are forecast to sweep across the UK this week A sodden and blustery front is predicted to sweep across Wales (Image: WXCharts) Turbulent weather is threatening to wreak havoc across the UK within days, as drizzly conditions are set to replace the blistering heatwave temperatures we have been seeing. This summer has delivered a rollercoaster of disruptive and unpredictable forecasts, featuring four separate heatwaves alongside tempests and powerful gusts, including those brought by Storm Floris earlier this month. The erratic climate patterns will continue throughout August, with weather maps from WXCharts indicating substantial rainfall anticipated in Wales in the coming weeks. According to the Met Office, rainfall is also expected to be highest in the south of the UK where some heavy, thundery showers are possible, with drier conditions further north. On Friday, August 22, Gwynedd, the Isle of Anglesey and Conwy are set to get heavy rainfall during the evening. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Other areas also seeing rain at this time will also include Pembrokeshire, as well as parts of Carmarthenshire, Powys and Ceredigion. The picture on Friday, August 22 (Image: WXCharts) And more rain is expected to sweep across the UK on Saturday, August 23, battering Wales with strong downpours hitting the country by 6pm- and impacting the following regions the hardest: Carmarthenshire Ceredigion Powys Rhondda Cynon Taf Torfaen Blaenau Gwent The sodden and blustery front is predicted to sweep across the UK on Saturday, August 23, battering the nation with downpours reaching 25mm per hour by 6pm. The map on on Saturday, August 23 (Image: WXCharts) Northwestern Scotland and the southwest English coastline will bear the brunt, with rain beginning at midnight on August 23 before intensifying hourly, reports the Express. Western Scotland and southwest England face the greatest disruption from this rainy system, whilst a swathe of territory stretching from Cheshire to Norfolk will be soaked from midnight on August 23. The Met Office's extended forecast covering August 16 to August 25 has similarly cautioned of rain bursts nationwide, with thundery downpours providing respite from extremely hot and arid conditions, particularly across southern areas. BBC Weather has also warned that Atlantic weather systems could bring difficulties for northern regions, especially Scotland, as the month concludes, delivering "less warmth overall", particularly affecting eastern and northern zones. Looking ahead at the UK's long range weather forecast for the period between Wednesday, August 17 and Tuesday, September 10, the Met Office also adds: "Details during this time frame are low confidence. "Overall, unsettled conditions with showers or longer spells of rain are expected to be most prevalent. "Some heavy and thundery rain is possible at times with a risk of strong winds. Interspersed with this are likely to be some transient periods of drier and more settled weather. "Temperatures are expected to be above normal with a chance of some hot spells, especially in the south." Article continues below
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Small change people should make if you dry clothes in the sun
One thing you should never do when drying clothes in the sun (Image: Getty) Drying clothes outdoors is a favoured summer task, offering a breath of fresh air and reduced energy costs. But have you ever pondered the actual impact of all that direct sunlight on your cherished outfits? It appears that those powerful rays might be more damaging than beneficial. A cleaning expert from Lenor has cautioned that prolonged exposure to the sun can spoil both light and dark clothing. So, before you peg out your next wash, it's crucial to grasp the potential harm that could befall your garments. We've delved into what damages can occur and how to avert them below. The Lenor cleaning specialist stated, "Direct sunlight breaks down dyes used in fabrics and leads to fading. When drying bright or dark items outside, turn them inside out and ensure your airer or clothesline is in the shade." Direct sunlight breaks down dyes (Image: Getty) According to In The Wash, the sun emits ultraviolet radiation. When those rays meet a coloured fabric, they trigger a chemical reaction, causing the material to fade, reports the Express. Unfortunately, once this happens, there's no reversing the fading on your clothes. The cleaning expert recommends using a fabric conditioner to help preserve the colour vibrancy and prevent fading. Another tactic to shield against fading is to track the sun's trajectory and arrange white/brighter clothes to act as a barrier between the sun and your coloured items. This way, the white garments serve as a barrier, minimising sun exposure to the coloured items. For those using a rotary clothesline, position your coloured garments on the central lines and arrange white items on the exterior lines. Direct sunlight proves advantageous for white garments, as it naturally bleaches the fabric, whilst UV rays can efficiently eliminate troublesome bacteria responsible for unpleasant odours on items such as socks and underwear. How to avoid your clothes from becoming damaged (Image: Getty) The cleaning specialist cautions that individuals suffering from hay fever or other pollen-related allergies should avoid outdoor drying when pollen levels are elevated. "Damp clothes, especially knits, attract allergens blowing in the air and could quickly become the scourge of your summer. Most weather apps will alert you-as well as when rain is on the horizon, of course." Another tip concerns drying clothes carefully and quickly. The specialist suggested maintaining an inch gap between items to facilitate quicker drying. Air must flow around garments to remove moisture and guarantee a thorough, uniform dry. When drying indoors, position clothes close to an air vent, extractor fan, or dehumidifier to accelerate the process. It's crucial your garments are completely dry before storing away to help prevent musty-smelling mould and mildew from developing in poorly ventilated spaces, such as wardrobes and drawers.
