Alan Titchmarsh's 'magic' hack to kill weeds in your garden - without using vinegar

Summer's now upon us, and for many, it means they would rather enjoy their green spaces versus battling with pesky weeds.

Weeds are a constant headache for garden pathways, and it's important to tackle them quickly as they can attract pests and compete with other plants for sunlight, water and nutrients.

Thankfully, gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his simple trick to eradicate weeds without resorting to harsh chemicals or ineffective techniques.

Online advice often suggests vinegar to quash weeds, but it usually only works on young ones, failing to reach mature root systems underground. During a chat on the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, Alan offered up the most effective way to naturally wipe out weeds, roots and all, reports the Express.

Simply use boiling hot water from your kettle, Alan advised: "On gravel paths, a bit of boiling water works a bit of magic."

It couldn't be easier: boil your kettle, carefully transport it to the offending patio weeds, and precisely pour the steaming liquid over them. Ensure the weed is thoroughly soaked; the extreme heat will instantly kill the leaves, stopping photosynthesis and growth in your garden.

However, perseverance is key with this method; you'll need two or three goes to obliterate these annoying invaders for good, as repeatedly using boiling water will eventually break down and kill off the weed's root, putting a stop to any regrowth.

Weeds will likely look shrivelled and damaged only after a few hours of using boiling water on them on the first try but continue to pour water on them to make sure they do not come back.

This boiling water weed-killing method should only be used on patios, pathways and driveways as it will target the roots of any plants it comes in contact with, which includes lawn grass and flowers.

To kill weeds in your garden it is best to pull them up, but according to Alan, this does not need to be a backbreaking task as he recommends using a Dutch hoe to make it easier.

Alan said: "It makes it easier to keep down annual weeds simply by skimming a hoe between the rows. The important thing to do is skim, not dig."

For smaller weeds that tend to get into the nooks and crannies of flowerbeds, Alan recommends a hand fork or simply pulling them up by hand once you spot them in the garden.

The best way to deal with lawn weeds is to simply "just keep mowing" according to Alan, as having a regular lawn maintenance schedule will stop these pesky plants from sprouting in the first place.

Trying out Alan's weed-killing advice is a quick and easy way to remove weeds so you can spend more time enjoying your garden this summer.

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