Garden expert Alan Titchmarsh has revealed a natural, chemical-free method to kill weeds on gravel driveways and patios using just sunlight and a simple garden tool. The technique involves using a Dutch hoe to slice weeds at their base, then leaving the severed plants exposed to the sun, which dries them out completely.
According to Titchmarsh, the key is to separate the weed from its roots without digging. 'What you are trying to do with your Dutch hoe is separate the weed from its roots and that way it will cook once it's exposed to sunshine,' he explained in an online video. The method works best on a warm, sunny day, as the blazing sun quickly desiccates the cut weeds.
For patios, Titchmarsh recommends using a patio knife instead of a hoe, as hoes can chip stone slabs. 'When it comes to patios and terraces made of stones...if you do find there's soil between your paving slabs and weeds are growing there, a patio knife is really quite useful,' he said. Simply run the knife along the joints, let the weeds fall, and allow the sun to dry them out.
This technique takes just a few minutes and is an effective way to rid your garden of weeds without harmful chemicals or strenuous manual pulling. Titchmarsh emphasised: 'Don't try and dig with the hoe. Remember, you're always skimming. The more of the weed root you can expose to the drying rays of the sun, the quicker they will die.'
