Alan Titchmarsh, one of Britain's most beloved gardening experts, has shared a simple trick for dealing with weeds. In a video for Waitrose and Partners, he recommended using a garden hoe to skim across the soil surface, chopping up annual weeds and separating roots from shoots so they 'fry in the sun'.
According to Titchmarsh, once border plants fatten up and cover the ground, there is little room for weeds. Until then, keeping bare soil clean is essential. He also advised dead-heading, pruning, and supporting plants to maintain a brilliant border throughout summer.
Gardening expert Ruth Hayes of Homes and Gardens agrees, calling the hoe a top-notch weed executioner. She notes that hoeing is better than forking or digging as it does not activate buried weed seeds, though she makes an exception for perennial weeds like dandelions, which need digging up root and all.
Other gardeners suggest using salt to dehydrate weeds, with Harry Bodell from PriceYourJob recommending a mix of one part salt to two parts water. However, experts warn that salt can damage soil and harm desired plants, unlike the gentler hoe or digging techniques.
