Garden expert Alan Titchmarsh shares a chemical-free method to kill weeds on gravel driveways and patios09:12, 23 May 2026Garden weeds only start to emerge once they receive enough sunlight, which explains why hundreds appear all at once in spring, thriving in warm areas such as gravel driveways or between patio slabs. Getting rid of weeds can be an incredibly difficult gardening chore, as their roots tend to dig deep into cracks or compacted soil, meaning that even when you remove the visible plant, it usually regrows within a matter of weeks.‌However, Alan Titchmarsh has shared a natural technique to tackle these weeds without using any chemical products or spending a penny. All you require is a simple garden hoe and a sunny day, as one of the most successful ways to kill weeds is to use the very same sunlight that enables them to thrive, reports the Express.‌In an online video, Alan said: "What you are trying to do with your Dutch hoe is separate the [weed] from its roots and that way it will cook once it's exposed to sunshine."‌How do you eliminate gravel weeds?Sunlight alone won't normally kill weeds, but Alan Titchmarsh has a simple gardening trick to dry them out and make them wither away in no time.Simply run a hoe across the gravel surface and slice through the weeds at their base. Then, leave the uprooted weed where it is and try to keep as much gravel away from the now-exposed roots as you can.‌Since the weed has just been cut, it will be far more susceptible, and on a warm day, the blazing sun will completely dry out the plant, reports the Express.Alan said: "Don't try and dig with the hoe. Remember, you're always skimming. The more of the weed root you can expose to the drying rays of the sun, the quicker they will die."It's a simple and effective method to get rid of weeds without pulling them up or turning to harmful chemical solutions that can damage the environment and pose a threat to local wildlife.‌Can you use sunlight to remove patio weeds?Patio weeds can also be dealt with using the sunlight method, though it's worth noting that most garden hoes are built for soil and can be awkward to manoeuvre on slabs.Hoes are weighty, and you're more likely to chip the stone. Instead, opt for a patio knife, as it will prove far more effective and slot more easily into the gaps.Article continues belowAlan said: "When it comes to patios and terraces made of stones...if you do find there's soil between your paving slabs and weeds are growing there, a patio knife is really quite useful."All you need to do is carefully run a patio knife along the joints, allow the weeds to fall where they may, and let the sunlight dry them out entirely.This technique takes just a few minutes to complete and is one of the most effective ways to swiftly rid your garden of a large number of weeds without spending your afternoon on your hands and knees pulling them up.