I asked 5 experts how to stop driveway weeds growing this spring — they all named 1 method

With spring well and truly underway, gardens are coming back to life. But flowering plants and fruits and vegetables aren't the only things that start growing as the weather gets warmer, as weeds also start popping up from March onwards. Weeding might not be your favourite gardening task, but it's one you must keep on top of through spring and into summer, as they appear in lawns and all over patios and driveways. If you visit any garden centre, you're sure to find all sorts of solutions to garden weeds, promising to kill weeds in 24 hours or stop the roots from taking hold again. But you don't need to resort to expensive chemical products when there are natural alternatives that cost less. In fact, I asked five experts how to go about removing weeds from driveways this spring and summer and they all named the same solution. Luke Newnes, garden expert at Hillarys , said: "Start with a good clear-out. I like to begin by pulling out any weeds that have already pushed through. If you can, get the whole root, especially with dandelions and plantain, because anything left behind tends to grow back stronger. A simple weeding tool or even an old screwdriver works wonders for getting between block paving. "Use a natural weed killer you probably already own. One of my favourite tricks is a mix of white vinegar, a little washing-up liquid and water. Spray it directly onto weeds on a dry, sunny day. The sun helps it work faster, and you’ll usually see them wilt within hours. It’s a simple, non-chemical option that’s great for quick wins." Andy McLaughlin, sales and operations director at RF Paving named a similar method, with the first step being to pull out as much of the weed as possible, before treating the area with with either vinegar, boiling water or salt. "Mixing vinegar that has an acetic acid content between 5% and 20% with some washing-up liquid helps the liquid adhere to the roots of the weed for more effective results," he said. "Simply spritz directly onto the weeds, making sure not to get any solution on any plants nearby, as the vinegar could cause them to deteriorate. "For the best results, try adding this solution to your gardening routine, or at least every two weeks, to ensure the weeds have gone completely." If you don’t have any vinegar in the house, Andy said you can remove weeds with just boiling water. Simply pour the water directly onto the weeds, making sure to take care by using gloves and any other protective gear if needed. Pouring boiling water on the weed will initially get rid of the weed from the surface, but it isn’t effective in killing the root, and the weed will likely regrow in time. For tougher weeds, you can use this same method, but with the addition of salt. Andy recommended diluting one part table salt with two to three parts water, as using too much salt could damage the soil around the affected area. The salt dehydrates the weeds, leading them to wilt and eventually die. Caution should be taken when using salt around your paving as the frequent use of salt, especially on natural stone, can weaken the structural integrity of the paving, as well as causing discolouration and even erosion. Jessica Mercer, horticulturist at Plant Addicts , said: "If the driveway weeds are small and scattered, I pull them after rain (or after I’ve hosed the area) because the roots slide out instead of snapping off. For tiny weeds in cracks, boiling water works well. Pour slowly so it soaks the base, and plan to repeat it on anything with a deep taproot. "Vinegar can also help on weed seedlings, but the concentrated vinegars can be pricey and should be applied wearing eye protection. Do not spray vinegar near garden plants, since it can damage any leafy growth." Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping , said: "Vinegar is a great natural weed killer that is cheap, widely available, and non toxic and safe to handle. "Vinegar and other natural weed killers work best when the weather is hot and sunny. Cold weather is less stressful on plants and can help weeds survive a dose of natural weed killer application. "Vinegar and salt water mixes are also available online as a natural weed killer. Again, this is a good option for an area with no other surrounding plant material since salt is very toxic to plants and will stick around in soil for quite some time. Boiling water is another easy natural option for driveway weeds that can be applied with caution." Liam Sharkey, home expert at HomeServe , said: "For a quick fix, boiling water poured directly onto weeds kills them on contact. It's free, easy, and perfectly safe around pets and children. White vinegar at cleaning strength is another good option, especially when applied on a sunny day." When it comes to preventing weeds from returning, Luke Newnes explained: "It really does help It sounds basic, but a regular sweep keeps seeds, debris and moisture from settling. Weeds love compacted dirt and damp joints, so keeping the surface clear gives them fewer places to anchor themselves. "Re-sand your driveway joints If you’ve got block paving, topping up the kiln-dried sand between the bricks makes a huge difference. Weeds hate tight spaces, and fresh sand helps block the light that encourages new growth. I see people skip this step all the time, and it’s one of the simplest ways to prevent weeds long term."