IT can be an absolute nightmare to get rid of patio weeds and stop them coming back for good.
Without forking out for pricey products that could potentially be harmful to wildlife and the rest of your garden, it can feel like there aren’t many options.
At least that’s what one mum thought when she decided to tackle her overgrown garden weeds.
Asking for help on a popular budget gardening Facebook group, the mum said “What can I do to sort these weeds out they keep growing pretty much soon as I pull them out.
“I have tried weed killer spray and doesn’t work.”
The huge weeds had taken over her patio and were popping out of the cracks between the slabs.
Luckily, fellow gardening fans had just the trick to banish the grim weeds without breaking the bank.
Many suggesting using bicarbonate of soda for the job, something most households will already have in their kitchen cupboards.
“Bicarbonate of soda and leave to bake in the sun, the magic happens when it has been rained on,” one person suggested.
“If there’s no rain then after two or three days in the sun, water using water from a water butt. It’s worked on mine!”
“Bicarbonate of soda worked wonders in my garden, cheaper than weed killer too,” someone else said.
And another agreed: “Bicarb soda! Failing that salt should work.
If you don’t already have bicarbonate of soda at home you can pick some up for as little as 59p in Sainsburys, or 65p in Asda.
Alternatively, as one of the gardening fans suggested, you could try using salt to banish garden weeks.
However, it’s important to note that salt can harm soil and prevent growth so it should never be used in spots where you might want to grow plants in the future.
Cass Heaphy, Digital Director at Paving Direct, previously spoke to Express.co.uk about the best ways to remove weeds from paving.
“If the weeds are really persistent, then an organic herbicide is recommended.
“Once this has been applied and weed growth has been stymied, we suggest re-pointing the paving blocks with kiln dried sand, as this will fill the voids and help prevent re-growth,”
He said patios require a similar process, with a slight twist.
Instead of repointing with kiln fried sand, the pro suggesting using something like Pointfix, or another epoxy-based jointing compound.
This should work on concreate and stone patios, as well as exterior tile grout for porcelain patios.
“Both exterior grout and epoxy jointing compounds are water-resistant, so will help suppress and prevent the regrowth of weeds in the paving joints.”
If you’re looking to clean up your driveway without breaking the bank, Cass has some advice for you too.
He said simple steps often lead to big changes.
“A well-maintained garden and driveway will make a house look well-presented and cared for. Often, buyers believe a well-maintained exterior will mean a well-kept interior.
“General upkeep is good practice and, like most things, prevention is easier than cure.
“One of the easiest things you can do to spruce up your driveway, which can make a huge difference to your house’s appearance, is to simply sweep away any windfall debris.
If you leave things like leaves, twigs, fruit, acorns, and bark on your driveway for too long, not only will it look messy, but it can also stain the pavement.
“You’ll need to sweep or leaf blow your paving clear every week or so.”
Another easy solution involves adding natural color.
“Although not the most innovative solution, planting new flowers is an inexpensive yet effective way to reinvigorate your driveway’s borders on a budget, so it’s a good place to start.
MORE cheap hacks to banish weeds from your garden for good.
BRUSH OFF: Gardening fans have raved about the Rolson Weed Brush, which you can buy from B&M.
One social media user commented: “This is my new friend. £4 from B&M”, whilst a second agreed: “I used one of these too and it’s brilliant. It removes the whole weed too.”
BAKE IT: Gardening enthusiasts have also praised baking soda for tackling weeds.
One man explained: ”What will then happen is the plants will absorb it, as they get damp when it starts to rain because they’re thirsty – because it’s been sunny. That’s nature’s way of killing it.”
WASH THIS: According to Sam Marlow, a gardening expert, washing powder is an affordable way to say goodbye to weeds.
He advised: “If you’re on a budget, there’s a cheap way to keep weeds at bay. If you want to remove persistent unwanted plants from paths or patios, try using washing powder. It’s a super easy way to banish weeds once and for all.”
