With the weather set to improve again later this week, many of us will be planning barbecues and garden parties to make the most of the summer sun.
With this in mind, many homeowners will look to ensure their garden is in tip-top condition, including getting rid of any weeds that appear in the slats of patio slabs.
You may be tempted to opt for a traditional herbicide; however, it can be expensive and dangerous for pets.
Gardening expert Bob revealed the best method to kill weeds is to boil water.
Posting in the National Gardening Associated, he said: “A safe way to kill weeds is to pour boiling water over them.
“This will literally burn them and there will be no toxins left.”
All you need to do is fill the kettle with water, boil it, and pour the water over the weeds.
Boiling water is a great natural alternative to herbicide that won’t harm humans or animals.
It also won’t cause any damage to your patio flagstones, which can occur when vinegar is used to kill weeds, as the acidity can cause pavement erosion.
It’s also a virtually free method of killing weeds and only costs the price of boiling a kettle (around 3p).
When pouring boiling water over weeds, be sure to keep it away from any plants you want to keep, as the water will kill them too.
Bob said: “If there are any plants nearby, you can cut off the top and bottom of a can or plastic bottle, place the collar around the herb and then pour it out.
“This should prevent water from running onto nearby plants. Be careful when using a leash – I would recommend gloves or a hot pot holder if you need to be supported.”
As soon as you pour boiling water over the weeds, they will begin to wilt.
This is because the extreme heat of the water will dehydrate the weed’s root system.
Gardening work in July
The Sun’s gardening editor Veronica Lorraine has shared the tasks you need to tackle in your garden this July.
1. Prune wisteria
You should only prune wisteria twice a year – and July – or mid-summer – is one of those times. After flowering, cut the long side shoots to about seven buds, five or six leaves.
2. Remove the tomatoes
Your tomatoes should be really setting – so remove any side shoots without flowers – and remove any leaves that are shading the tomatoes – this will give them maximum light and energy.
3. Keep weeding
Hand weeding and hoeing the surface of the soil will keep weeds under control.
4. Feed dahlias
To keep dahlias blooming until autumn, you should feed them weekly with a liquid fertilizer rich in potassium – which encourages flowering.
5. Keep plants dead
Keep deadheading your bedding plants and perennials – so they keep coming back for the season. With roses, be sure to get back to a set of five leaves, giving it the best chance of blooming again.
6. Check your pond
If you’re lucky enough to have a pond, make sure it’s free of algae, which can really bloom when the sun goes down.
7. Feed your lawn
Whether with liquid or granulated food. If you chose granules, try to remove them before the rain arrives, so they penetrate the soil.
8. Take care of strawberry plants
Cut the leaves off strawberry plants after picking them – leaving the top intact – which should help with next year’s fruiting.
9. Sow extra seeds
July weather is a great time to sow seeds as the warm soil and sun are great for germination. Try carrots, winter broccoli and other brassicas.
10. Move young plants into the ground
Place any young plants left in the greenhouse – such as zucchinis – in the soil.
Be very careful when performing this method as you can easily burn yourself from the boiling water.
Within a few hours, the weeds should have withered and died.
Because boiling water attacks the root system, weeds should not return.
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