The use of herbicides is not uncommon to eliminate weeds on patios and sidewalks. However, these are not recommended for many reasons, especially if you have pets or children. Fortunately, you can get rid of weeds quickly using a safer method.

At any time of the year, weeds can invade your garden and be difficult to eliminate. For good reason, some of them grow very quickly. That’s why it’s better to get rid of them immediately when they appear. Here you will find the best tips for this.

How do you remove weeds from patios and sidewalks?

To eliminate weeds, it is advisable to use a special technique used by gardeners: mulching. This is a process designed to prevent weed growth by allowing the soil to retain moisture for a long period of time. 

To do this, a cover is placed on the surface of the earth, which usually consists of compost, grass clippings or leaf bark. These materials act as   a shield from sunlight and help the soil retain moisture and inhibit weed growth  .

Another technique to get rid of weeds is to pour boiling water over them. Although this method is effective on driveways and patios, it is not recommended for lawns. Also, be sure to   pour the hot water directly over the grass to avoid “burning” surrounding plants or flowers  .

It is also advisable to mow the lawn to prevent weeds from spreading. This way they stop growing because they no longer produce sprouts. If you don’t need to mow your lawn in the winter, you can do so if you notice weeds. You can also reuse grass instead of throwing it away. 

Other weed removal techniques

To kill weeds, you don’t necessarily need a chemical weed killer, as we just saw. There are particularly effective techniques for this  .

Kill weeds in the garden with newspaper

If you have a garden, a simple piece of newspaper can help you get rid of weeds. A few layers can actually deprive them of the sun  .  This smothers the weeds by stopping their growth. To do this, spread 10 layers of newspaper, previously moistened, and then place them on the weeds.

Use white vinegar to weed patios and walkways

One of the natural solutions for controlling weeds on patios and driveways is to use   white  vinegar   ,   especially thanks to its  acetic acid content.  It is a drying agent that has devastating consequences for young plants with poorly developed roots. To use this natural weed killer, first remove the leaves from the weeds and then spray the product. However, keep in mind that vinegar is much more effective in removing young shoots. Also avoid spraying it on a flower bed to avoid killing those and surrounding plants. 

It is therefore recommended to use it especially between the gaps between terrace slabs where weeds grow.

Use a weeder to remove weeds

Despite the effectiveness of the methods mentioned, hand weeding remains the best method for weeding your patio. For this purpose, do not hesitate   to get a weeding tool specifically designed for this operation: a scraper knife  . It is no coincidence that its blade is designed to facilitate passage between the spaces of the terrace slabs. 

Most of these weed control solutions remain affordable. Feel free to choose the remedy that suits you best to get rid of weeds permanently.