As warmer weather approaches, many homeowners are turning their attention to garden maintenance, with weeding often topping the list. This task can take hours depending on the method used to remove moss, weeds, and leaves accumulated over winter. However, one amateur gardener claims that people often overcomplicate the process and spend unnecessarily on chemical products that may not work effectively.
In a TikTok video, user @tonylongworth shared a simple technique: boil a kettle and pour the water directly onto the patio. After this three-minute process, he waits a day or two before checking the results. He explains that the weeds will die off, though stubborn ones may require additional water. Afterward, a good brush is all that is needed to clean up.
Comments on the post were mixed. One user noted that while the method kills weeds, they eventually return. Another suggested sprinkling loose salt on a hot day for longer-lasting effects. A third recommended digging up weeds and pressure washing, while another touted a mixture of white vinegar, salt, and bicarbonate of soda for six months of weed control.
According to Weedingtech, effective heat treatment requires maintaining temperatures above 57°C to damage plant structure and transfer heat from leaf to root. Research indicates that stable delivery of heat at 80°C for the first five seconds is crucial for optimal plant kill. However, boiling water quickly loses heat to the atmosphere, reaching around 64°C at contact and dropping out of the kill zone, which may require multiple treatments and increase labor costs. Additionally, its efficacy is reduced in wet or windy conditions.
While adding salt can improve results, experts warn that salt can damage soil and surrounding ecosystems, advising caution for those concerned about long-term garden health.
