September is here and many people are using the milder weather to catch up on chores they’ve been putting off this summer – and one of the most dreaded garden chores is weeding.
Weeds are annoying to deal with at any time of the year, but right after summer these pesky plants have spread their seeds and more are growing on patios and driveways.
However, you don’t have to waste an afternoon weeding because Courtney, master gardener and founder of The Kitchen Garten, has found an effective way to kill weeds without the hassle.
Courtney tried many natural solutions, including white vinegar, dish soap, and Epsom salt, but was hesitant to use them in her garden in case they harmed the soil in which her plants grew.
Instead, Courtney poured boiling water over the weeds, and even though she was straightforward, she was amazed at how well it worked.
Courtney said: Boiling water – Say what? Yes, the argument is as simple as anything. I read about using boiling water and thought it was too easy not to try, so why not?
“I used a kettle and simply boiled water and then poured it over the weeds.”
According to Courtney, she initially doubted the boiling water method would work, but was willing to test it to see if it could kill weeds without harming anything else growing in her garden.
After two days, Courtney went to check on the weeds and was surprised to find that they were completely extinct and that the boiling water had “killed the weeds” without any effort.
How to use boiling water to kill weeds
All you have to do is boil a pot, carefully take it out into the garden and pour it directly over the weeds.
Be sure to pour slowly and aim directly at the base of the weeds so that the hot water reaches the roots.
Be careful not to splash hot water on nearby plants, because while the water won’t damage the soil, it can still damage any plants it touches.
After a few hours the weeds should start to dry out, turn yellow and die, but pour boiling water over them if there are still green leaves after a day or two.
The terrace, driveways and all other garden paths must be completely weed-free in no time.
This is a proven way to kill weeds once and for all by boiling their roots completely, but remember to only try this if you own a kettle, as boiling water without a lid is not safe to carry.
Courtney said: “If you go for this option, make sure you have a kettle to carry water in. I don’t think walking around outside with a big pot of boiling water would be the safest choice, but a kettle with a lid is perfect and not too inconvenient.”
