Alan Titchmarsh's 'simple' and 'magic' hack to kill weeds in an instant - The Mirror

Alan Titchmarsh's 'simple' and 'magic' hack to kill weeds in an instantAlan Titchmarsh has shared his 'magic' hack to kill weeds in the garden without using chemicals, which is perfect if

you want to avoid backbreaking weeding in the summer heatCommentsLifestyleKatherine McPhillips and Rom Preston-Ellis Assistant News Editor16:11, 02 Jun 2025Tackle weeds with this hack(Image:

Getty Images) Summer's arrival means many are eager to lounge in their gardens, not wrestle with weeds. Weeds can be a real blight on paths, and it's crucial to tackle them swiftly as they

draw pests into gardens and vie with plants for essentials like sunlight, water and nutrients. Fortunately, gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has disclosed a straightforward method to

dispatch weeds without resorting to harsh chemicals or futile efforts.

On the Gardeners' World Magazine podcast, Alan divulged that the most effective natural way to annihilate weeds and hit them at the root is by dousing them with boiling water straight from

the kettle.

‌READ MORE: Doctor tells Brit dad to 'carry on' as he loses two stone in two months with one change Alan advised: "On gravel paths, a bit of boiling water works a bit of magic." Simply boil

your kettle, then cautiously transport the sealed kettle to the patio weeds, and pour the scalding water directly onto the weeds to target them accurately.

‌ The intense heat will immediately wilt the weed leaves, preventing them from photosynthesising and proliferating in your garden, reports the Express.

However, eradicating these stubborn plants might require two or three attempts, as the boiling water technique gradually destroys the weed and its root, ensuring it won't sprout anew.

After just a few hours of the initial boiling water treatment, weeds will appear withered and damaged, but persist with the hot water assaults to guarantee they're gone for good.

Article continues below The method of using boiling water to kill weeds should only be applied on patios, pathways and driveways as it will target the roots of any plants it comes into

contact with, including lawn grass and flowers.

To eradicate weeds in your garden, it's best to uproot them. However, according to Alan, this doesn't have to be a strenuous task as he suggests using a Dutch hoe to simplify the process.

Alan advised: "It makes it easier to keep down annual weeds simply by skimming a hoe between the rows. The important thing to do is skim, not dig."

Article continues below For smaller weeds that tend to sneak into the nooks and crannies of flowerbeds, Alan recommends using a hand fork or simply yanking them out by hand once you spot

them in the garden.

The optimal way to handle lawn weeds, according to Alan, is to "just keep mowing", as maintaining a regular lawn care schedule will prevent these pesky plants from sprouting in the first

place.

Giving Alan's weed-killing advice a go is a swift and simple way to eliminate weeds so you can spend more time savouring your garden this summer.