Gardener says 'stop using vinegar to kill weeds and reveals the best solution

Gardeners are all too familiar with the relentless battle against weeds, especially when they pop up between patio stones or in gravel paths around the house. These unwelcome guests find it easier to spread their roots in stony areas due to less competition for resources compared to other spots in your green space.

In an age where eco-friendly solutions are sought after, many greenthumbs are tempted to use vinegar as a weed killer, often touted online as a safer alternative. However, gardening guru and Good Grow UK founder Chelsey has some words of caution about reaching for that bottle of vinegar.

Chelsey breaks it down: "So you've heard vinegar is a great weed killer! You read on the internet that it is safer than other weed killers, it works and you're going to use vinegar to kill all the weeds on your drive."

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But she warns, "Good luck with that. Vinegar may well kill some small weeds but if the goal is to get rid of them forever then vinegar is not the answer.", reports the Express .

She continues, explaining the limitations of this method: "Vinegar simply burns away the visible part of the weed, it may look dead, it may act dead but the roots are still intact - it will regrow."

For those looking to eradicate weeds permanently, targeting the root is essential, and unfortunately, vinegar lacks the ability to reach and destroy the roots beneath the surface.

However, there's a glimmer of hope for those seeking a homemade solution, as dish soap can help break down the weed's protective leaf coating. By combining vinegar and dish soap, you might just have a fighting chance at weakening those pesky plants.

However, there is a much easier natural solution as Chelsey has suggested using rock salt, used to clear away ice, to keep weeds away from your driveway for good.

Chelsey said: "Salt is a cheap, effective way to kill weeds and keep them gone. It's versatile too, you can simply spread the rock salt by hand or dissolve it in water and spray it onto the ground."

Not only is it affordable but it is incredibly easy to use as all you need to do is spread the rock salt into the cracks where weeds may be in your patio or gravel and the rock salt will completely dehydrate them and kill them off.

Chelsey said: "Spread it across your drive neat or diluted and you're done. Be careful not to get it onto the ground you want to grow in."

Make sure to try out this method on a sunny day where there is no rain predicted for the next day otherwise the water can wash away the salt.

It is also important to be careful where you are placing the salt as it will not discriminate against a weed or a beloved garden plant. Take care if using it near your lawn or flower beds.

Rock salt can be bought from almost all garden centres or can be ordered online, and is a simple way to keep weeds away so you can have a clean and tidy driveway or patio for the summer.