Organic weed control?

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Organic weed control?

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koshka

Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 33

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 12:50 pm Post subject: Organic weed control?

Does anyone know of a non-synthetic-chemical way to keep weeds under control on a paved area?

We inherited a brick patio from the people that had our house last, which means we've also inherited the various weeds and bits of grass that determinedly poke their way between the bricks. I'd rather not attack the stuff with chemicals if I can help it, but getting rid of the patio altogether's not an option at the moment - is there something a bit more home-spun & environmentally friendly that will do the trick?

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 12:58 pm Post subject:
A flame gun or hot air wallpaper stripper would do the trick.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 1:14 pm Post subject:
What about digging out some of the weeds and gaps between and filling in with thyme cuttings. Still plants, but you can walk over them, they smell nice, the bees like them, and once they establish no weeding? Otherwise yes, flame/steam is supposed to be good - not tried it myself but understand you just do it briefly then leave the thing to wilt over a few days.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18416

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 1:23 pm Post subject:
I'd go for the flame-weeder too. Many of the weeds will be deep-rooted things like dandelion, and you would need to take the bricks up to dig them out - keep using the flame weeder, and they will eventually give up.

koshka

Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 33

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 3:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice - flame weeder sounds quite fun, actually! I think I'll see if my dad still has a heat paint stripper thing that I can borrow and confuse the neighbours aiming it at the patio this weekend

I like the idea of thyme cuttings, though. I might investigate what gaps I'm left with after I've flamed the existing grass and see about filling in some of the ones around the edges at a later date.

oddballdave

Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 259
Location: Telford, Shropshire

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Organic weed control?

koshka wrote:

Not overly environment friendly. but

Salt.

Our local council is using salt water in an effort to control grass and weeds on edges. Seems to work. Needs reapplication every six to eight weeks. Has the advantage that the gardeners do not need fancy masks/goggles or other PPE kit.

Boiling water is also good for killing plants in an area where the flame gun cannot be used (around the outside of the greenhouse?)

Use an old knife to dig out as much as possible between the slabs.
A hook on the end or an L shape would be even better.

course YMMV

Dave

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 4:35 pm Post subject:
You may be interested in this page: Plant herbicides, I was thinking particularly of the walnut, but there are many different plants with a similar action.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 06 6:07 pm Post subject:

I use a flame gun for our long and winding block paved path (which seems awfully long and awfully winding, when it needs weeding!) Initially results (I've only had it a week) are quite successful - some of the more stubborn couch or dandylions might need a second blast, but otherwise, pretty good.

Pity is uses fossil fuels, but its better than pesticides, and you can win them all, all the time. I wouldn't have block paving again for this reason though.

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