Garden expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared a chemical-free method to kill weeds on gravel driveways and patios using just sunlight and a simple garden tool. Weeds only emerge once they receive enough sunlight, which explains why hundreds appear all at once in spring, thriving in warm areas such as gravel driveways or between patio slabs. Getting rid of weeds can be an incredibly difficult gardening chore, as their roots tend to dig deep into cracks or compacted soil, meaning that even when you remove the visible plant, it usually regrows within weeks.
However, Titchmarsh has revealed a natural technique to tackle these weeds without using any chemical products or spending any money. All you need is a simple garden hoe and a sunny day, as one of the most successful ways to kill weeds is to use the very same sunlight that enables them to thrive. In an online video, he explained: "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."
How to Eliminate Gravel Weeds
Sunlight alone won't normally kill weeds, but Titchmarsh has a simple gardening trick to dry them out and make them wither away quickly. Simply run a hoe across the gravel surface and slice through the weeds at their base. Then, leave the uprooted weed where it is and try to keep as much gravel away from the now-exposed roots as possible. Since the weed has just been cut, it will be far more susceptible, and on a warm day, the blazing sun will completely dry out the plant.
Titchmarsh advises: "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." This method is simple and effective, avoiding harmful chemical solutions that can damage the environment and threaten local wildlife.
Can You Use Sunlight to Remove Patio Weeds?
Patio weeds can also be dealt with using the sunlight method, though most garden hoes are built for soil and can be awkward on slabs. Hoes are heavy and may chip stone. Instead, opt for a patio knife, which is more effective and fits easily into gaps. Titchmarsh said: "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." Carefully run the knife along the joints, allow the weeds to fall, and let sunlight dry them out. This technique takes just a few minutes and is one of the most effective ways to swiftly rid your garden of many weeds without spending hours on your hands and knees.
