Gardening expert shares two simple methods to get rid of weeds naturally

Before you reach for the weedkiller, did you know there are two very easy ways to get rid of those annoying weeds naturally, reported The Mirror.

Weeds can be a real pain for many gardeners, but getting rid of them doesn’t always mean using chemicals that can harm our soil and friendly creatures like earthworms.

Hannah Rowson, a gardening expert at J.Parker’s, has two simple tricks to deal with this old problem, and they’re both wonderfully easy, cheap most importantly, natural.

She explained: “You can kill off weeds by pouring boiled water from your kettle over them.

“Be careful not to splash your toes, of course! The hot water will shock the plant, killing it within a day or two.”

This method works really well for patio weeds, but Hannah said you do need to be careful when trying this method in the garden as any stray boiling water can easily harm other plants.

If you’re unsure about using boiling water, Hannah recommended using vinegar as a safe and effective alternative.

She noted: “Vinegar is full of acetic acid, which is a natural bacteria killer.

“It’s a great way of killing back any unwanted weeds that are siloed and aren’t surrounded by wanted plants.”

“Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz them fully, getting as close to the roots as you can.

“Regular vinegar also does the trick, helping you to get rid of weeds permanently. You can also try using lemon juice, as it contains citric acid which can cause weeds to shrivel.

“Like any plant, weeds can be annual or perennial. Annual weeds are easier to get rid of, as they last just one year or season.

“They might spring up quickly, but they can be removed just as quickly too. Perennial weeds are trickier, as they’ll return year after year.

“They have deeper roots than their annual counterparts and if they’re not removed, they’ll just come back to mock you.”

Identifying weeds can often prove difficult, so Hannah suggested using an app or online guide to assist you.

The Royal Horticultural Society is a great place to start, while apps such as Leafsnap are adept at naming plants just from a photo.

Top ten most common UK garden weeds

1. Chickweed

2. Fat Hen

3. Groundsel

4. Couch Grass