Weeds in cracks

[dick27]

I know this is oft debated, and maybe because no one has come up with a really good solution. I want to eradicate the blighters from between cracks in paving and then seal them up. I don't want to use chemicals. I've looked at those burner things. I know about vinegar (tried, it didn't work). has anyone come up with a miracle solution? Either an actual liquid type one or a machine that works?

I'm afraid I do it the old fashioned way and use a good weeding knife. I try and keep on top of the weeds so it isn't a long boring job.

I use a sharp vegetable knife and attack them with that.

I have a stiff wire bristled brush that gets in the cracks, it's a narrow brush head and works a treat.

Thanks. I was hoping for a miracle solution. I concede that hard graft is the best/only option. It's decades of ingrained weeds. I'll get there eventually.

I use boiling water. Very effective on long taproots and no digging out required. I found I was dislodging more mortar using a sharp knife.

It's decades of ingrained weeds

That sounds like hard work OP. But yes you will get there and it will be a real sense of achievement when you do.

Boiling water. They die back after a day or so then you can brush them away.

At my old house i used to do boiling water on the paths and it was very effective but I've now moved to a house with a block paving drive and side patio. Way too large an area to use kettles on and was thinking on what else to use. Was toying with the idea of an electric weed burner too.

What is your paving grouted with? Too late now but paid extra for a resin type grout which apparently won't grow moss/weeds. 2yrs on, nothing growing in between! We also had weed barrier laid underneath.

My mum uses bleach on hers, but clearly that is a chemical also. No advice really, other that a stiff, wire brush already mentioned above.
www.diy.com/departments/stiff-wire-outdoor-weeding-broom-w-140mm/5059340086828_BQ.prd?storeId=&&&&&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21073390313&gbraid=0AAAAADt-XHmlgy3cCDMkqsk7k2BugBDQn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzt_FBhCEARIsAJGFWVkWDDycwP2cEifyCtNos3pb2M5fS1MnlPMCZKry-TH-4ssUviYUuR8aAhqjEALw_wcB

I have an electric weed burner, my mum has a gas one. The latter goes through gas at a tremendous rate, so electric is much less hassle if you get one with a good long cable - a lot have ridiculously short cords.

Before I had the burner, I used to use a steamer (one of the ones that can be used as a wallpaper stripper or a steam mop) hovered just above the surface. Has the same effect as boiling water but much easier to do big areas.

The steamer was a bit more faff to set up than the burner, but was faster for covering large areas. And there's no risk of starting a fire with it.

Boiling water. And then plant invasive things like erigeron (fleabane) or creeping thyme that you like which will
stop them growing back

Salt. It's that simple. BUT you don't want it on anything that should grow as it makes the ground sterile.

Oh - remembered this morning that when I was looking up uses for wood ash, weed killing was a suggestion. Has anyone tried that? I will have tons of the stuff once the weather turns again.

I use this too. They work very well and you can actually get a battery operated one.

I buy white 10kg bags of fine rock salt. The kind used for winter icy paths. Melt a couple of cups of salt in a watering can in hot water. It takes a while to melt; much vigorous stirring!
Then use the melted solution on my block paving. Keep away from border plants though. Repeat as necessary. It's bit messy but it works.