Alan Titchmarsh has shared a simple, cost-free method to stop gravel weeds from popping up on driveways or pathways, using just sunlight to dry out and kill the roots.
Gravel weeds can be tough to remove because the stones create ideal conditions for them to grow, trapping moisture while absorbing heat from the sun. Summer is usually the worst time, as the warm and wet environment encourages roots to grow deep and store energy, so even if you kill most of the weed, it can quickly grow back.
How the sunlight method works
In a video online, Alan said: “The more of the weed root you can expose to the drying rays of the sun, the quicker they will die.” He added: “What you are trying to do with your Dutch hoe is to separate the little rosette from its roots. And that way, it will cook once it’s exposed to sunshine and will dry out.”
Taking the time to hoe weeds up removes them from their wet environment and exposes them to a very dry surface, causing them to wither and die. Cutting the weed below the crown helps expose the foliage and roots to too much sunlight.
Best time to act
August is one of the best times to use sunlight to kill weeds, thanks to the intense summer heat. Acting now can also help prevent weeds from becoming a bigger problem when the rainy weather of autumn arrives.
Step-by-step guide
To begin, choose a sunny day with low humidity and make sure it will not rain the next day. Though Alan uses a Dutch hoe, a simple garden hoe or a weeding knife would work as well.
Locate the weed crown, which is the point where the leaves and stems meet the roots, usually at or just below the surface of the gravel. Use a hoe or knife to cut the weed at the crown to separate the plant from its root system.
Leave the uprooted weed foliage on the gravel surface so it is exposed to sunlight. Leave them for a few hours, and on a hot day, it should be enough to kill off the weed. If you have a lot of persistent weeds, you may need to do this a few more times in August, but it is one of the most effective ways to deal with gravel weeds without needing to spend any money at all.
