Weeds on gravel and patios come in a variety of species. You'll find grassy weeds like henbit and purslane, as well as woody weeds such as broadleaf or dandelions - all of which have no problem sprouting up in droves.

The real challenge isn't just getting rid of them, but acting swiftly enough to prevent them from taking over completely. Battling weeds on your gravel driveway or patio doesn't mean you have to resort to harmful chemicals that could ruin your garden or pose a risk to pets. One of the most frequently recommended natural methods for removing gravel weeds is using white vinegar.

READ MORE: Pet owners rush to claim free flea treatment as UK heatwave sees pests rise

While vinegar "may well kill some small weeds", if the aim is to eradicate them permanently then "vinegar will not work", says Chelsey, gardening expert at Good Grow.

She clarified that vinegar "simply burns away the visible part of the weed", and while it may appear dead and behave as such, the roots remain intact and will regrow.

If gardeners wish to use a homemade weed killer on their driveways or patios, then "rock salt is the way to go". Although table salt can be used as a weed killer, if your driveway is overrun with weeds that you want to eliminate for good, you're going to need to use rock salt. It's the "fastest way to kill weeds on your drive forever".

Gardening experts at Joe's Lawn Care also concur with using rich salt to exterminate gravel weeds, reports the Express.

They stated: "Rock salt is actually a super-effective and totally natural weed killer that is ace at clearing a gravel driveway."

Gardening experts are recommending a surprisingly simple hack to deal with pesky weeds by stating: "Simply sprinkle some rock salt on the ground surrounding any weeds you can see and then sit back and watch as the salt kills the weeds in just a matter of days". They remarked that "it's almost unbelievable".

They also highlighted rock salt's lasting effects, cautioning that it gives "long-term results", so it shouldn't be used where you plan on cultivating flowers or crops.

Further explaining, they said: "The salt will gradually seep into the ground where it was sprinkled, preventing any weeds (or plants) from being able to grow there for a while."

Then adding advice for those considering this method: "Now that may sound absolutely perfect for your gravel driveway situation, but just make sure you are conservative with the amount you sprinkle and where you sprinkle it."