How to weed a path or patio

There are a number of different ways to weed your paving stones without having to resort to chemicals. Some of the most common natural methods include weeding by hand and applying plant slurries or essential oils.

Manual weeding

This is the most environmentally friendly technique, but it is also the most physically demanding. There are several ways to go about weeding by hand: 

• Weeding using a hand tool: there are plenty of options including mattocks, hoes, and so on. Your choice of tool will depend on how large your weeds are;

• Cutting, usually done with a pair of shears;

• Pulling weeds out by hand: just requires a spot elbow grease and some patience. Be sure to get all the way down to the roots of the weed to prevent regrowth.

Remember: the weeds you pull out can be recycled back into the garden on a compost heap or simply spread around your crops. As they decompose, they will help to supply nutrients to your plants.

Applying a plant tea or slurry

Stinging nettle tea

The most commonly used plant 'tea' is made from a base of stinging nettles. It can either be purchased directly or made at home. If making it yourself, the mixture should be placed at the bottom of the garden because it does give off a strong odour that lingers! Here's our step-by-step guide to making your own nettle slurry:

• First of all, be sure to protect your skin as nettles will irritate your skin. 

• Shred around 1.5 kg of young nettle sprouts that have not yet gone to seed;

• Place the leaves in a plastic container and add 10 litres of water;

• Let the mixture soak for 1 to 2 weeks, making sure to stir it regularly;

• Filter the solution as you only required the liquid; the rest can be incorporated into your compost;

• Spray the mixture onto any weeds you want to get rid of.

Nettle slurry also has fertilising and repellent properties. This mixture can be diluted, depending on what you want to use it for.

Angelica root slurry 

This aromatic plant is a great ally in the war against weeds. Angelica root tea or slurry is made using much the same process as nettle slurry; the only differences being the ratios and the time it takes to ferment.To make angelica slurry, combine 1 kg of plants for every 10 litres of water and leave to soak for 2 to 3 weeks.

Sawdust solution   

Simply allow sawdust to soak in water, then filter the mixture before applying it directly to weeds. The remaining residue can be used to mulch crops.

Basil essential oil 

Mix a few drops of this essential oil in water and apply it directly to weeds using a spray gun or watering can. Basil essential oil also has insecticidal and fungicidal properties.

This technique aims to generate a thermal shock that causes the weed cells to burst to eventually kill the plant. Flame or thermal weeding can be done in two different ways.

Using a weed burner 

Made famous by Canadian farmer, Jean-Martin Fortier, these tools are designed to destroy the weeds at a molecular level by heating them to a high temperature. Flame weeders are being used more and more by professional gardeners as they provide speedy results and a long-lasting effect.

Recycling hot cooking water

More of a home-made solution, this technique is not only effective but also very frugal! This approach involves putting aside the cooking water from pasta, potatoes or rice, and then using it to spray directly onto weeds. In addition to causing thermal shock, the cooking water contains starch which is a little-known natural weed killer. That said, this method is less effective than using a flame weeder as it will not kill off the deep roots of perennial plants, meaning they will reappear the following year.

For more advice on tending your garden, check out the following guides:

• Electric lawnmower buying guide

• How to prepare your garden for spring

• Tiller and cultivator buying guide

• Chainsaw or power pruner: which is right for you?

• Strimmer and brushcutter buying guide

• Garden shredder buying guide

• Leafblower buying guide

• How to design and furnish your garden