Just wondering if boiling water will kill weeds in a gravel walkway?
by
A. M.
+14
17 answers
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Not an expert but I don't think it would be so easy to get rid of them. You may kill them now but they have already spread their seeds in other areas.
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs
on Jan 27, 2012
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Anne uses boiling water, or a small propane torch system to remove weeds from a brick driveway. The boiling water works for most weeds but if a small bush or tree gets started it usually take a flame from the torch. If the walkway is not too long it is an easy, environmentally safe way to remove weeds.
Mike and Anne
on Jan 27, 2012
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I have effectively killed weeds in a driveway with boiling water. It was a quick, but impermanent, solution. I think they came back in the same spots.
3po3
on Jan 27, 2012
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Thanks! It seemed like an environmentally friendly thing to try.
A. M.
on Jan 27, 2012
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Ive heard it works but to get rid of weeds permanently, the root must be removed or killed. I've also heard ppl add vinegar to the boiling water and it gets rid of weeds for longer
Faidra at CA Global Inc
on Jan 28, 2012
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I would just put some coco and marshmallows in the water. Then spray week killer on them. Then take a chair and enjoy the drink.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jan 29, 2012
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Yes, Ive done this for years but some larger weeds and certain varieties will need 2 or 3 treatments. The thing we must be grateful for is that this method is FREE!
Garden Rebel / Sims Landscaping, Co.
on Jan 29, 2012
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Yes, I would think boiling water would kill the weeds too as I'm talking about just little upstarts invading my pea gravel.
A. M.
on Jan 29, 2012
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I had a few come up in my crusher fine drive...just a few spritzes with some roundup ...problem solved.
KMS Woodworks
on Jan 29, 2012
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Sorry...I meant to type that I'd think boiling water would kill the ROOTS too because the plants are small.
A. M.
on Jan 29, 2012
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while round-up is a relatively 'safe' chemical, i really appreciate people trying to avoid using chemicals for maintenance. tree roots are everywhere including under driveways-all plants growing in the ground have symbiotic relationships within the root systems. meaning if you spray one plant, a slight amount of that chemical is transferred to the roots of all the other plants in the area-repeated use of spray can damage surrounding trees etc. i would go for the boiling water :*)
Anna K
on Jan 29, 2012
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Boiling water does work, but some pesky weeds will come back in a few weeks.
Linda Kinsman
on Mar 20, 2015
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add a cup of salt to a gallon or two of boiling water and it will kiill them.
Mar1464095
on Mar 25, 2015
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Using a vinegar/salt/dish soap mix is a great way to kill weeds in gravel. The soap helps it to stick to the leaves and breaks down the bonds in the cell walls, while the vinegar and salt burn and wither the weed killing it within a day. It works as well as Round up without the toxic residual. Works best on hot sunny days when the sun adds to the killing effect.
Jennifer Vallot
on Jul 05, 2015
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Just be careful if you have dogs and cats outside when doing this... either pouring water and dogs and cats trying to get in the middle of it or later the salt on doggie paws!
Darlenegreen
on Jul 09, 2015
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Yes....also use vinegar
Mary Piotrowski
on Feb 21, 2016
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I've actually used sometimes (in a small area) swimming pool, bi-carbonate of soda. A handful is usually needed, but it does work. If you are not worried about discolouring paving etc., I put a couple of drips of hydrochloric acid (again used in swimming pools for cleanliness and clarity) on weeds. It will take the colour out of pavers, cobblestones, etc. but it sure does the job. Almost immediately. But be careful. Because it is basically a 'bleaching' type of product. I would assume in the USA you can buy a type of 'blow torch' which burns the weed. About 3' long - not the flame. You just attach a gas can, turn it on, and out comes a flame, which will burn the weed/s. This is what I use in our garden. (Sydney). Safe, and no chemicals. I guess if we have it in Sydney, the USA would have a similar product.
Gabrielle Falk
on Apr 27, 2016
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