Weeds are the bane of every gardener's life, and yet many of us still don’t know the best tricks to stop them from ruling our outdoor spaces – turns out it’s pretty simple. Common weeds you may find growing through your patio, decking or other outdoor areas include dandelions, chickweed, crabgrass, plantain, and nettles. If left unkept, you’re likely to see these weeds become a nuisance, ruining the atmosphere and aesthetics of your garden.

Aaron Steil, a specialist at Consumer Horticulture Extension, has just the perfect trick that can be used on exposed weeds growing where they shouldn’t be. He suggests: “Boiling water will act as a contact 'herbicide', killing only the portion of the plant it comes in contact with.”

The gardening enthusiast explains that this method is most effective on young, newly emerged weeds, so it’s important to think fast before burning them. He also makes a vital point: that this easy method is an “organic option” for keeping on top of weed control.

Aaron advises: “A tea kettle is often a good way to safely and precisely apply the boiling water directly to the weed. Use plenty of water and plan to retreat seven to 10 days later, as one application rarely kills the entire plant, especially deep-rooted weeds.”

It’s important to note that boiling water has the potential to kill not just weeds but desirable plants, and so you mustn't pour over any nearby plants you don’t wish to kill. Not only this, but the specialist suggests you should “be careful to not splash or burn yourself” while carrying out this easy method.

Echoing his advice is gardening lover Simon Akeroy, who previously shared a video on TikTok demonstrating how he kills his weeds using boiling water alone. He explains that “many of the vinegars and other liquids suggested by many gardeners on social media do not get to the root of the problem".

Simon said: “They might destroy the leaves, but usually the root survives and sends up new shoots. Boiling water usually kills off the entire weed. If it does manage to come back again, it will be much weaker, and a quick second or third dose with boiling water will finish it off.”

Giving further insight to his thousands of followers, Simon also felt it was important to share that weeds are in some ways useful. “I would just like to add, I actually like many of the weeds, and very often they provide flowers which are good for wildlife and attract pollinators,” he wrote in the description of his handy video.

One user took to the comments to share that they have used this exact method for years and that it “works every time”. Another added: “That’s exactly what I do, works perfectly.”

However, many fellow gardeners have expressed their concern for the wildlife potentially living beneath or on the weeds. A user left a comment beneath this gardening tip video to say: “And kill insects and microorganisms in the soil? No thanks, I'll keep the medical plants.”