Kill weeds 'down to the root' with simple bag trick that works like 'magic'

Weeds are the bane of every gardener's existence. They can grow in every tiny nook and cranny in your garden, whether it's between the plants in your flowerbeds or in small cracks in your walls or your patio.

Not only are they incredibly fast-growing, but weeds are often a nightmare to try to remove. Many popular methods of killing the unwanted plants only get rid of the green leaves and don't tackle the roots down below. If the root of a weed is not killed and removed from the soil, it can grow back again.

So how are you supposed to fight the seemingly endless war against weeds?

Several hacks claim to have the secret to killing weeds instantly, but one woman on TikTok has said she uses one method that doesn't involve buying fancy products. All you need is your usual weed killer and a plastic bag.

The video, shared by a mum named Elizabeth, started with the woman showing off a week that keeps growing through a gap in her fence. The first and most crucial step to killing the weed is to cut the top of it off so that the stem is exposed.

Then, spray the entire plant, including the open stem, with weed killer. To make the process even more effective, you should then take a small plastic bag - a dog poo bag works wonders if you have them - and spray weed killer inside it.

Tie the bag around the weed, making sure the part of the stem that you cut is sitting in the liquid. This should then kill the weed within a couple of days, and you won't need to worry about the potential of rain washing the weed killer away as it's contained within the bag.

Commenters on Elizabeth's video were quick to praise the trick. Many said they had tried it themselves and had huge success in eliminating weeds from their gardens.

One person said: "It works! It takes it down to the root." Another added: "I've done this a number of times, it's great."

How to kill weeds

1. Manual Removal

• Pulling by Hand: Uproot weeds by hand, ideally after rain when the soil is soft. Make sure to remove the entire root to prevent regrowth.
• Hoeing: Use a hoe to cut weeds off at the soil surface, especially for annual weeds.

2. Natural Remedies

• Boiling Water: Pour boiling water directly onto weeds. Effective for cracks in driveways and sidewalks.
• Vinegar Solution: Spray a mixture of white vinegar (5-20% acetic acid) onto weeds. Avoid contact with desirable plants.
• Salt: Sprinkle salt at the base of weeds in driveways or walkways. Use sparingly, as salt can harm soil health.

3. Preventive Measures

• Regular Maintenance: Mow lawns regularly and remove weeds before they seed.
• Dense Planting: Plant ground covers or closely spaced plants to shade out weeds.

Tips:

• Always identify the type of weed to choose the best removal method.
• For persistent or perennial weeds (like dandelions or bindweed), repeated efforts may be needed.
• Wear gloves and protective clothing when handling weeds or chemicals.