CRACKS between patio slabs and holes in gravel can trap moisture from rain - making them the perfect, moist environment for weeds to flourish.
What’s more, the gaps and holes often receive enough sunlight to support weed growth... especially if the surrounding area is relatively open.
So, what do you do when you have the pesky green plants sprouting out of your beautiful patio?
Well, most of us would turn to a store-bought weed killer.
But according to gardening fanatics online, an organic homemade solution with zero chemicals is even more effective.
All you need is distilled white vinegar, salt and dish soap.
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TikTok gardener Tomato Dave urged people to “stop buying commercial chemicals to kill your weeds” and make the three-ingredient potion yourself.
“I tried this natural remedy,” he said.
“I was blown away by how well it worked after only three hours.
“It did better than any other commercial weed killer I’ve tried.
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“After three weeks, they still haven’t grown back.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The three-ingredient concoction may seem too good to be true, but it really is THAT effective.
Vinegar contains acetic acid - a natural herbicide that penetrates plant's leaves and disrupts cell membranes.
This leads to dehydration and ultimately kills the pesky plants.
The higher the concentration of acetic acid in the vinegar, the more effective it tends to be as a weed killer.
Salt similarly dehydrates weeds when applied to the soil or leaves.
It can also have a long-lasting effect on the soil, making it less hospitable for future weed growth.
However, excessive use of salt can harm surrounding vegetation and affect soil fertility, so it's important to use it sparingly.
Dish soap is added to the mixture primarily as a glue to hold the vinegar and salt together - with Tomato Dave saying its thick formula helps the spray “stay on the leaves”.
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