Gardeners told to pour vodka on patio to kill weeds
Gardeners told to pour vodka on patio to kill weeds

Pouring vodka into your garden might seem peculiar, but it could actually be the secret weapon for stopping weeds from returning. While it's tempting to purchase weed killer from the shops, it may work out more economical to simply use the vodka that's already sitting at the back of your drinks cupboard.

Expert backs vodka trick

DIY specialist Bill Jarvis, who co-founded patio paint supplier Premium Paints, suggests that vodka is one of those quirky traditional gardening tricks worth being aware of. He said: "Vodka probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about getting rid of weeds. But the alcohol can dry the leaves out, which can leave the weed looking pretty sorry for itself."

He added: "You obviously don't want to go around pouring vodka all over the garden, but if you've got a few stubborn weeds coming through paving or popping up in awkward places, it's a cheap and unusual trick you could try."

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How to use vodka to eliminate garden weeds

Begin by combining vodka with water, then incorporate a small quantity of washing-up liquid. Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle. Thoroughly spray the foliage of the unwanted weeds, preferably on a dry, sunny day to allow the solution sufficient time to take effect.

The crucial point is to exercise caution regarding where you apply it. You don't want to spray it over your flowers, lawn or other plants you're trying to preserve.

Other experts endorse the method

Experts at Supreme Merchants have also endorsed the vodka technique for eliminating garden weeds, stating: "It is definitely more of an old-school hack than a miracle weed killer. But if you've only got a few stubborn weeds in awkward places, it is a cheap and unusual trick you can try."

They added: "And if you are wondering whether you should use your best bottle of vodka for the job, probably not. You certainly do not need anything fancy. The whole point of hacks like this is making use of what you've already got at home."

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