Does Boiling Water Kill Weeds

There has always been a war going on between gardeners and weeds for decades. Each battle involving a different strategy from home remedies to professional applications trying to find a way to eradicate the ever invasive weed.

Over the years we’ve learned a few tricks that help in keeping weeds away apart from pulling, spraying, and digging. There’s another simple way of keeping weeds away, using boiling water.

Boling water will not only kill the weed but also the seeds that are dormant in the soil. The heat destroys the plant and its root tissue and the plant withers and dies within a day or two. However, boiling water works better on weeds on your driveway, garden path, and walkways away from other plants and grass.

How to use boiling water for weed control

Boiling water can kill weeds, but it can also kill other plants if not used properly. A kettle with a narrow spout that will allow the water to flow directly on the weeds and doesn’t splash anywhere else, especially if there’s grass or ornamental plants nearby that can get damaged.

When using boiling water to kill weeds, it usually takes about 2-3 treatments to see permanent results, however, some stubborn weeds need more treatments to completely die.

Pour the boiling water generously to cover the weeds and so it penetrates the plant’s roots.

If the weeds have a long taproot, you’ll need to pour more water so it reaches the roots at the bottom. Weeds with a fibrous root system near the top of the soil don’t need a lot of water to be killed completely.

You can pull out most of the weed then use boiling water to permanently destroy the root system.

When using boiling water, ensure that you protect yourself by wearing long pants and sleeves, socks, and closed-toe shoes to protect your skin in case of a spill or accidental splash. 

Weed control methods

There are different methods you can use to help get rid of weeds in your garden. Apart from using strong chemical herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides, you can also opt for another natural way to kill weeds like bleach or ammonia.

Method

How

Mulching

Mulch with wood chips, cardboard, straw, bark, compost, grass clippings, or other organic matter. You can also use gravel to prevent the weeds from growing through.

Hand digging

Manual removal using a shovel or other tools is an effective spot treatment for all weeds. With consistent hand-weeding, you reduce the weeds population.

Competition

Weeds need space to take hold and planting a dense ground cover like trees and shrubs with shade and a heavy root system will naturally prevent weeds from growing underneath.

Soap

The soap contains oil that sticks on the leaves which naturally breakdown the waxy surface or hairy weed leaves.

Corn gluten meal

A powder byproduct of corn that you can use to prevent weed seeds from germinating. It’s mostly used on lawns and other garden areas.

Conclusion

Weeds grow extremely fast and steal the nutrients for other desirable plants. You can opt to use chemical weed killers, but they will affect the health of your other plants and the environment. Seeking natural options is better and doesn’t have any negative effects.

FAQ

Will vinegar kill weeds permanently?

Vinegar can kill weeds permanently and is very effective at keeping your flowerbeds weed-free.

Does salt and boiling water kill weeds?

Boiling water scorched the weedsand salt will soak the roots to ensure the weeds don’t grow back anytime soon.

Also read

Do weeds Die Winter

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