Little-known gardening hack gets rid of weeds and doesn't cost a penny

A little-known gardening tip that won't cost you a penny could be the solution to your weed woes. Weeds flourish in parts of the garden where there's plenty of moisture and sunlight and when gravel accumulates rain deposits, dust, and bird droppings, it creates an ideal environment for weeds to not only grow but thrive.

Battling stubborn weeds can seem like a never-ending task. No matter how often you pull them out, they just keep returning, and if you're not keen on using costly and potentially harmful treatments, you might feel like you're running out of options.

While some household remedies exist, they can sometimes pose risks to pets and children. Fortunately, there are several natural "weed killers" that can help you eliminate those pesky plants while being environmentally friendly.

Gardening gurus suggest that pouring boiling water over weeds will destroy their cell structure and kill them instantly and permanently, although some resilient weeds may require more than one treatment. Boiling water will only kill the part of the weed it touches, but it does make it easier to dig up and remove completely, reports the Mirror US.

Speaking to HomesandGardens, Jamie Mitri, an environmental engineer and founder of Moss Pure, explained that while pouring boiling water over weeds can damage them, it won't necessarily eradicate them completely.

She stated: "The higher temperature water will temporarily damage the weeds, but this won't be enough to 100% kill the weed's roots and the weeds will grow back."

However, she added that "pouring boiling water on weeds may be a potentially successful way to kill the youngest of weeds, or particularly weak weeds."

On the other hand, Genna Lorraine, a gardening expert at Fantastic Services, offered a different perspective: "Pouring boiling water on weeds can instantly kill them, as well as any seeds that may be dormant in the soil. It's brilliant for walkways, garden paths, and driveways, but not lawns."

She continued her advice by saying: "To manage weeds, mulch the soil. It blocks sunlight from weeds, inhibits their growth, and helps retain moisture."

Mulch, which can be bought or made at home using garden compost, wood or bark chipping, is used to cover the soil.

Leaf mould can also be made at home by allowing leaves to decay over a couple of years, according to the expert. Genna added: "Mowing the lawn can be an effective deterrent. The plants will wilt and stop producing seeds, which will eliminate them. Just make sure you attach a basket to your mower rather than tossing the clippings on the grass."