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Original poster

Weeds ruining paving

27 replies

Leobynature · 31/10/2022 15:34

in 2020, I paid for my front garden to be paved and I was scammed. The paving is very uneven and lumpy and there are weeds growing everywhere, the so called gardener has since changed his number and business name and needless to say I have no idea where he is.

Anyway, it is full of weeds and grass coming through the paving which is not helping with the movement of the slabs. If I can prevent the weeds from coming up them the dodgy paving may last a bit longer as I cannot afford to have it redone at the moment.

Does anyone know a very strong and effective weed killer for the slabs. I do not have any pets so I am not worried about how toxic it could be.

OP posts:
Footle · 31/10/2022 15:49

The insects and slugs will eat the weed killer and then be eaten by the birds, wild mammals , and pet animals.

BlueBar · 31/10/2022 15:53

The weeds in themselves don't mean it's a poor job, although it sounds like it was, some weeds are to be expected.

Personally I use boiling water to keep them under control. Go out with a couple of kettles full everyday until you've done what's there and then again every couple of weeks to keep them under control.

You can get weedkillers like Pathclear, but they're banned in many countries, which should tell you what you need to know.

Popetthetreehugger · 31/10/2022 15:54

Weedol or a name similar 🤦‍♀️ Get the box of little tubes . Each tube is diluted and sprayed on . Much cheaper then the made up spray . It kills the root . Just keep going !!

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Gardening
BobbyBobbyBobby · 31/10/2022 16:31

Get a weed burner! Inexpensive and very effective.

Original poster
Leobynature · 31/10/2022 16:37

😂 thanks. I have tried a few brands which have been rubbish.

I am not sure I trust myself with a weed burner but I will try Pathclear

OP posts:
whatsthestory123 · 31/10/2022 16:50

if you use a weed killer do it on a day when no rain is forecast for 4-5 days as it needs dry weather to take hold and should take 1-2 weeks to see a differrence dont pick the weeds let the weed killer get right down to the roots

i do my drive 3--4 times a year and looks good but im tempted to try the boiling water method as my drive is under control

OldTinHat · 31/10/2022 16:57

I have the same issue. I've tried everything from salt to weedkiller to boiling water to weed burners.

NOTHING WORKS! 🤬

BlueBar · 31/10/2022 17:07

OldTinHat · 31/10/2022 16:57

I have the same issue. I've tried everything from salt to weedkiller to boiling water to weed burners.

NOTHING WORKS! 🤬

They all work, but it's not a one off. You have to keep on top of it.

OldTinHat · 31/10/2022 17:34

@BlueBar Oh I do, believe me!

Hillrunning · 31/10/2022 17:42

What type of weeds are they? No point using the wrong thing on them. Was sand used between the pavings? Will be perfect for weeds if so.

JasperJohnsPaintbrush · 31/10/2022 17:55

I second the boiling water. The leaves often wilt within seconds of the water being poured onto them, with the remaining stem/root etc dying off within a couple of days. So easy to do.

Please do not use weedkillers or any other chemical .....it's not just the weeds it kills!

MrsDThomas · 31/10/2022 18:39

I use glyphosate. Get mine from farmers suppliers. It works

Original poster
Leobynature · 31/10/2022 18:41

@OldTinHat the story of my life!

OP posts:
OldTinHat · 31/10/2022 18:57

@Leobynature I'm thinking a wild garden is the answer!

Phrenologistsfinger · 31/10/2022 19:06

If it goes in the soil, it goes into the rain water. If it goes into the rainwater, it goes into rivers, then the sea. If it goes into the watercourses and the sea, it goes into rain. If it goes into rain, it goes into the food you eat. If it goes into the food you eat, it goes into your blood, your brain and your unborn child.

And so we slowly poison our water, our food and our air. One day we realise that all this is giving us cancer and we are dying younger and younger. There are fewer and fewer children being born and the animals have all gone. There are no insects, no flowers, only algae-based food grown intensively in aquaculture warehouses. Grandparents tell children what forests used to look like and how there used to be birds.

Only then do we realise what harm we caused.

Phrenologistsfinger · 31/10/2022 19:08

But at least you had a weed free driveway.

SusiePevensie · 31/10/2022 19:11

Get rid of the paving? It's a con - horrid and depressing as well as being high maintenance.

Might something like this work? www.rhs.org.uk/garden-inspiration/garden-types/front-gardens

bellac11 · 31/10/2022 19:12

I havent heard of this boiling water trick before, that sounds good. I dont want to use weedkillers either.

MusselMam · 31/10/2022 19:17

Boiling salty water. I remember my grandmother used to pour the water from boiling potatoes between the paving in her garden. Im sure pasta water would have the same effect as we don't tend to cook potatoes as much as that generation!

Goatling · 31/10/2022 19:18

I use white vinegar, washing up liquid and salt mixture, it takes a couple of goes but it's safe for animals, insects and the environment.

whatdoyouthinkhonestly · 31/10/2022 19:30

Phrenologistsfinger · 31/10/2022 19:06

If it goes in the soil, it goes into the rain water. If it goes into the rainwater, it goes into rivers, then the sea. If it goes into the watercourses and the sea, it goes into rain. If it goes into rain, it goes into the food you eat. If it goes into the food you eat, it goes into your blood, your brain and your unborn child.

And so we slowly poison our water, our food and our air. One day we realise that all this is giving us cancer and we are dying younger and younger. There are fewer and fewer children being born and the animals have all gone. There are no insects, no flowers, only algae-based food grown intensively in aquaculture warehouses. Grandparents tell children what forests used to look like and how there used to be birds.

Only then do we realise what harm we caused.

^ as above.
I used to use weed killer before I realised how bloody harmful it was.

Boiling water has worked just as well for me as weed killer did, perhaps better as it was cheaper and less gross to use.

whatsthestory123 · 31/10/2022 19:35

im gonna try some of these eco weed killers now

thanks all x

OnaBegonia · 31/10/2022 22:07

Weed it thoroughly, then fill the gaps with fine grade sand and then seal using patio sealant, done correctly this should keep weeds at bay for up to two years.

Alvinne · 31/10/2022 22:16

Don't use weedkiller it's terrible stuff and should be banned. Boiking water, a weed burner or simply pulling up the weeds with a weeding hand tool are all just as effective, you just need to keep on top of it.

DangerFrog · 31/10/2022 22:50

Goatling · 31/10/2022 19:18

I use white vinegar, washing up liquid and salt mixture, it takes a couple of goes but it's safe for animals, insects and the environment.

This. I cleared a huge paved area of weeds with a strong mixture of white vinegar and salt, boiling water and a generous squirt of washing up liquid.

Do it on a dry day and it'll kill the lot. You do need to repeat it as new seeds try to grow but it gets easier as you catch them earlier.