Weed killer recommendations

I remember about a couple of years ago, I started a thread about this, and when I said I was using vinegar and salt, I was jumped upon from a great height by certain members!….

I won't use weed killer.Our garden is full of birds and we have a beehive plus wild bees so can't bear the thought of toxic chemicals. I use a patio scraper for the block paving paths and between the patio slabs.Much easier to do after rain.And I let moss grow in certain areas where its safe to fo do.Having seen a wonderful documentary on mosses on BBC recently and how incredible important they are too for the environment, and how beautiful they can be.

I use the boiling water method too for the weeds on the patio, not sure I would want to use soda crystals as I don't know if it would be harmful to birds as I do scatter feed in a small area so I can see them from the French windows in the kitchen.

Can't beat Jeyes fluid, I do a two thirds/one third dilution in a spray bottle.

Katie59

Casdon

At this time of year I use soda crystals, which clean the patio slabs and kill the weeds in one go. You do have to move the pots first, but if you sprinkle them on you don’t have to do anything else, the rain washes off the dirt and the diluted crystals kill the weeds.

Caustic soda crystals will probably clean the slabs and kill the weeds but pets feet will be badly damaged, glyphosate is going to be easily the cheapest way, it’s been used for 50yrs and has never been proved to harm anything, salt or vinegar are going to be much more expensive and less effective (I’ve tried them).
My current plague is moss on the gravel drive I’m going to try roof moss killer.

That’s true, I’ve got two doors out from the back of the house, so I put barriers up where I’ve put the soda crystals and the dog goes out through the other door into the garden. He’s not interested in being on the patio so it works for me. They are so effective in doing both jobs together that it’s worth the effort of putting the barrier up once a year.

Casdon

At this time of year I use soda crystals, which clean the patio slabs and kill the weeds in one go. You do have to move the pots first, but if you sprinkle them on you don’t have to do anything else, the rain washes off the dirt and the diluted crystals kill the weeds.

Caustic soda crystals will probably clean the slabs and kill the weeds but pets feet will be badly damaged, glyphosate is going to be easily the cheapest way, it’s been used for 50yrs and has never been proved to harm anything, salt or vinegar are going to be much more expensive and less effective (I’ve tried them).
My current plague is moss on the gravel drive I’m going to try roof moss killer.

At this time of year I use soda crystals, which clean the patio slabs and kill the weeds in one go. You do have to move the pots first, but if you sprinkle them on you don’t have to do anything else, the rain washes off the dirt and the diluted crystals kill the weeds.

Charleygirl5

GagaJo I agree with pouring boiling water over them but if they are really growing, as mine are, I will chop mine to allow the water to work in the crevices.

One has to balance the cost of electricity with the cost of weed killers. At least one does not need a dry day for 8 hours or whatever after application.

Ah, that's a good idea (chopping them first).

I'd much prefer to use weed killer. But there are cats that use my garden (not mine) and my grandson too. I don't really want to use toxic stuff there.

Roundup is effective but I now use a flame lance powered by a gas canister. It shrivels them up. I got mine on Amazon. It self-ignites with a button.

GagaJo

Boiling water. Time consuming, but I do a couple of kettle-fulls daily. Harms nothing. Kills weeds.

Same here. Works without killing 😊

Stir 3 generously heaped tablespoons of salt into 1 litre of white vinegar until dissolved. Add 3 teaspoons of washing up liquid (preferably an environmentally friendly one). Obviously increase the amounts for larger areas. Decant into a watering can or spray bottle.

You may need more than one application, but better that than killing bees.

GagaJo I agree with pouring boiling water over them but if they are really growing, as mine are, I will chop mine to allow the water to work in the crevices.

One has to balance the cost of electricity with the cost of weed killers. At least one does not need a dry day for 8 hours or whatever after application.

We have a very large gravel drive. I used to hand weed it but life’s too short. Now my husband sprays it with Roundup. It works.

Boiling water. Time consuming, but I do a couple of kettle-fulls daily. Harms nothing. Kills weeds.

I read that biological soap powder works wonders and they don’t come back for ages. I kave tried it by putting a small hole in side of pack and pouring it in gaps in slabs . Only did this a week ago and it is working. Don’t know about long term yet but I’m definitely glad I have tried it

I avoid all commercial weed killer. There are organic methods for paths and gravel. I used distilled white vinegar and salt, especially good on the gaps between paving slabs poured carefully from a small watering can. The vinegar does not small. Rock salt spread across gravel works well.
Choose a dry day and if possible a run of dry days.
A weed burner might also be a good idea, although I don’t often use mine.