Patio weeds can be quite a nuisance, detracting from the beauty of your garden and posing a slip hazard in the colder months.
Weeds sprout up on patios for numerous reasons, and once they take hold, they’re notoriously stubborn to eliminate. However, experts at The Plastic Centre have come forward with a “DIY weed killer which is eco-friendly”.
They explained: “Armed with the right tips, you can tackle those pesky weeds in a way that’s both effective and eco-friendly.” One DIY solution, which is light on the pocket at under 80p a litre to produce, consists of basic pantry items: distilled vinegar, cooking salt, and washing-up liquid, reports the Express.
For this formula, it is mentioned that “Of course, you’ll need a pressurised sprayer for proper application but this recipe is wonderfully scalable.”
To whip up a small quantity, just blend 500ml of vinegar with 30ml of cooking salt and one tablespoon of washing-up liquid.
Ensure to agitate the mixture thoroughly after combining to guarantee its potency.
Experts suggest: “The best time to deploy this solution is on a hot and dry day to maximise its effectiveness. Once applied, the weeds should begin to wilt within 24 hours and be completely dried out within 48 hours.”
With this easy and swift method, not only is your garden kept immaculate, but it also bypasses the ecological and financial repercussions of using store-bought weed killers. Vinegar’s acetic acid is aimed at striking the weeds from their roots, and the additional salt acts to dehydrate them.
Garden enthusiasts are warned to avoid using this concoction on or near their lawns and cherished plants as it will cause them harm. Another budget-friendly tip is to utilise baking soda to eradicate weeds. It can be applied directly or combined with water.
For direct use, scatter approximately one tablespoon of baking soda on each weed after moistening them first with water. For spraying purposes, blend about 10 tablespoons of baking soda with a gallon of water, ensuring to shake it until it dissolves into the mixture.
Ensure to apply the mixture on a day when rain isn’t predicted and observe as the weeds wither.