3 Ways To Get Rid Of Annoying Sidewalk Weeds

After you have spent hours carefully manicuring your yard and pruning those hedges, nothing is more frustrating than noticing weeds pop out from between your sidewalk cracks. In addition to being an eyesore, these pesky plants can harbor bugs and create tripping hazard for pedestrians. If you are looking for a way to clean up those cracks, try using one of these three ways to get rid of annoying sidewalk weeds. 

1: Torch Weeds

If you are like most people, you might not be looking forward to the hours of careful digging that usually comes along with traditional methods of sidewalk weed removal. In addition to wasting your Saturday afternoon, it can also be physically exhausting to try to remove long roots that have secured themselves underneath your concrete. Fortunately, by using a landscape torch, you can take out your frustration on those weeds while quickly solving the problem.

You can rent a propane-powered landscape torch at your local tool rental place, and these nifty devices are completely cordless, allowing you to attack any area of your yard. These torches are capable of reaching temperatures of up to 2000°F, so they can kill weeds as quickly as in a tenth of a second. To quickly eradicate your sidewalk weeds, all you need to do is slowly pass the flame over the area to torch the unwanted plants.

Before you get started with your flame throwing, get out your garden hose and keep it running nearby. That way you will be able to easily control the heat and quickly douse any surprise fires.

2: Use an Herbicide

Oftentimes, homeowners find that their normal weed killer doesn't do much for the grass that has somehow made its way into those sidewalk cracks. Fortunately, chemicals herbicides are designed to kill most types of plants.Herbicides use compounds such as glyphosate, which works to limit enzymes that normally allow plants to produce essential proteins. When their regular growth pattern is interrupted, plants will shrivel up and die.

If you want to treat your sidewalk cracks with herbicide, pick up a bottle of the stuff from your local home improvement store. Some herbicides come inside of a convenient spray bottle, while other versions can be used inside of any standard pump sprayer. After you douse the unwanted weeds with herbicide, it will usually take between several days and a few weeks for them to wither away.

When you apply herbicide, pay special attention to where you are spraying. Because glyphosate is incredibly effective, you might unintentionally destroy those nearby flowers if you get a little too crazy with your application techniques. With the help of herbicides, you can spray unwanted plants and let the chemicals do the job, while you attend to other things.

3: Bathe them with Boiling Water

If you have small pets or children, you might opt for chemical-free approaches to gardening whenever you can. You never know when your rambunctious toddler will decide to rummage through the bottles underneath your kitchen sink, or when your pet will decide to dig into that brightly-colored pesticide bottle. Fortunately, you might be able to get rid of those weeds in a more natural way.

Believe it or not, you can destroy those sidewalk weeds with simple boiling water. The hot water will cook the cells of the plant, killing it right away. In fact, some gardeners have reported that the plants are completely dead, shriveled, and laying on the ground as soon as the next day. In addition to taking care of weeds quickly, hot water is completely free. 

To kill weeds with boiling water, put away those giant stockpots. By using a tea kettle instead, you can safely move water outside and easily pour the liquid in specific areas.

Taking the time to remove unsightly sidewalk weeds can add to the finesse of your landscaping and improve your home's curb appeal. Discover more about weed control here.