Why a broom is the simple way to stop patio weeds coming back – according to a gardening expert

IF you plan on having guests over to spend time in your garden this summer, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s nothing more annoying than relaxing in the garden on a sunny day, only to be stared at in the face by nasty weeds. 

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A gardening pro has revealed why a broom is the secret to ensuring your weeds don’t return[/caption]

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Craig Wilson, an expert at Gardeners Dream, also revealed what you should do to stop weeds growing if you’re in the process of redesigning your outside space[/caption]

So if your patio, driveway, path or paving are covered in the pesky stuff, then fear not, we’ve got you covered.

Particularly if you’ve tried everything – from bleach, to laundry detergent to boiling water – this trick is one you’ll be kicking yourself for not trying sooner.

And if you’re on a budget as a result of the cost-of-living crisis – don’t worry, you won’t need to splash the cash on pricey cleaning products.

In fact, you’ll probably already have the secret in your garden shed. 

Express.co.uk spoke to Craig Wilson, co-founder, director and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream, who shared a super “simple” method to prevent weeds from growing in patios.

Thanks to this easy hack, all you’ll need is a broom – yes, you heard that correctly.

Rather than spending ages on your hands on knees trying to pull out weeds by hand, Craig suggested sweeping patios a few times a week to prevent them from settling.

He advised: “Weeds can be very irritating, especially when they recur, but there are a few things you can do to control and prevent them from growing.

“One of the simplest ways to prevent weed growth is to sweep regularly to remove seeds and debris.

“By sweeping your patio once or twice a week, you will prevent the chance of any seeds settling and growing between your slabs.”

For those who are redesigning their gardens, you can prevent weeds by installing a weed barrier which stops nutrients from reaching the soil.

Craig explained: “If you are in the process of getting your garden redone, one thing you could do is install a weed barrier fabric under your patio or driveway.”

The gardening pro revealed that a woven membrane will be more effective as opposed to a non-woven one.

He added: “It is far more durable and creates a stronger barrier that still allows nutrients to reach the soil while keeping weeds at bay.”

Alternatively, gardeners can use a dark material to block sunlight, which will prevent weeds from growing.

All you need to do is simply cover any potential areas where weeds could crop up with a dark material.

Doing so will help block out sunlight and prevent weeds from growing.

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