Can I prevent weeds returning next year without using any weedkiller?

Have you ever tried covering the area with either newspapers or cardboard? Over time these materials will decompose and keep the weeds at bay. Before laying these down, pull the weeds then cover them. You could also use plastic then take off if you plant any flowers there next year.

Sue Hello,. Start by hosing down the area. The next day when the ground is wet, pull the weeds. You put you hand down to the ground and pull the weeds slowly, you should be able to get the root and all. Don't try all of this in one day. Aloha

If there's no bulbs or plants in it right now or you're able to remove the plants you want for next year, take boiling hot water and pour it all over the weeds or all I've the garden. It will kill any/all roots and you won't have any weeds :)

Use a powerful spray bottle full of vinegar so you don’t have to bend down. You can spray the gravel bed and next to the walkway every month without a snowfall to cover them. Continue throughout the year. Any kind of vinegar, buy by the gallon, use a spray bottle. Best wishes. ☺️

I use a mixture of one cup of salt, one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water in a garden sprayer. Saturate weeds till dripping wet. No rain for at least two to three days. The object is the get to the roots.