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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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Path weed prevention
I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the
sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? -- Terry, West Sussex, UK |
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In article , Terry Pinnell
writes I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? Sodium clorate seem to stop most everything for quite some time... -- Tony Sayer |
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tony sayer wrote:
In article , Terry Pinnell writes I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can Sodium clorate seem to stop most everything for quite some time... And is fairly nice to other stuff in the environment - doesn't kill fish easily for example. |
#4
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Terry Pinnell wrote:
I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? You could try sodium chlorate. I sssume the gaps are too small to rake out and use a weak sand/cement mix? Ive mortared my stones in for just the reasons you quote. If you use chlorate be aware that its a long term soil poison. And it stays poisonous as it washes away. What seems to happen in practice is that weeds near the surface die fairly quickly - days - and as the rain comes it penetrates deeper and kills longer term perennials with deeper roots. Ultimately it kills everything, but usually - unless subject to surface water run off carrying it into beds and lawns - it is too weak to do much harm. The other technique that used to be used as lot, but seems less popular now but should be highly effective on brick, is to use a flame gun. This essentually sterilises the soil locally and completely kills un germinated seeds. You could for example takee a blowlamp to the cracks and do each one by hand. If a flame gun is not available. |
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On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 10:04:18 +0100, Terry Pinnell
wrote: I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? I was looking for summat similar the other day and came to the conclusion you are what you drink .. ie, there is a good chance that anything strong enough to kill the soil could leech into the water tabe and do the same to you (and the rest of us)? ;-( I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Is there any way you could pressure wash all the sand out between the blocks (again) and replace with a very weak, dry sand / cement mix and let it go off on it's own (or gently water it in). Not sure if blocks have to be 'live' or not ..? I'm told diesel works pretty well .. if you can stand the smell and keeping in mind all the above ... All the best .. T i m |
#6
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In article ,
T i m wrote: Is there any way you could pressure wash all the sand out between the blocks (again) and replace with a very weak, dry sand / cement mix and let it go off on it's own (or gently water it in). Not sure if blocks have to be 'live' or not ..? Doesn't stop the weeds, though. ;-) -- *Welcome to **** Creek - sorry, we're out of paddles* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , T i m wrote: Is there any way you could pressure wash all the sand out between the blocks (again) and replace with a very weak, dry sand / cement mix and let it go off on it's own (or gently water it in). Not sure if blocks have to be 'live' or not ..? Doesn't stop the weeds, though. ;-) Actually it does. The cement fills in the micro cracks where seeds and dirt collect. |
#8
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In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote: Is there any way you could pressure wash all the sand out between the blocks (again) and replace with a very weak, dry sand / cement mix and let it go off on it's own (or gently water it in). Not sure if blocks have to be 'live' or not ..? Doesn't stop the weeds, though. ;-) Actually it does. The cement fills in the micro cracks where seeds and dirt collect. Thinks. Wonder if he can see my patio and thinks I'm lying? -- *Black holes are where God divided by zero * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#9
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Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , The Natural Philosopher wrote: Is there any way you could pressure wash all the sand out between the blocks (again) and replace with a very weak, dry sand / cement mix and let it go off on it's own (or gently water it in). Not sure if blocks have to be 'live' or not ..? Doesn't stop the weeds, though. ;-) Actually it does. The cement fills in the micro cracks where seeds and dirt collect. Thinks. Wonder if he can see my patio and thinks I'm lying? Ditto. Have a look at mine. Not a weed anywhere. Full of mortar. |
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T i m wrote: On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 10:04:18 +0100, Terry Pinnell wrote: I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? I was looking for summat similar the other day and came to the conclusion you are what you drink .. ie, there is a good chance that anything strong enough to kill the soil could leech into the water tabe and do the same to you (and the rest of us)? ;-( I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Doesn't work. Weed/grass seeds will happily germinate in the sand between blocks which is *above the membrane. Andrew |
#11
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In article . com,
wrote: I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Doesn't work. Weed/grass seeds will happily germinate in the sand between blocks which is *above the membrane. Yes - but are easy to remove. Since they can't root so deep. The awkward ones like dandelions won't even try. -- *Modulation in all things * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#12
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Hi Tim
So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. I'm going to face the same problem soon when I install my gravel drive. A quick Google found http://tinyurl.com/dd2tb which suggests a 'residual' weed killer. Didn't mention any brand names though. Dave |
#13
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David Lang wrote:
Hi Tim So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. I'm going to face the same problem soon when I install my gravel drive. A quick Google found http://tinyurl.com/dd2tb which suggests a 'residual' weed killer. Didn't mention any brand names though. I think the only really effective solution for a gravel area is a membrance. We have a large gravel drive and neither sodium chlorate nor pathclear keeps it clear of weeds for any reasonable length of time. It must have had lots and lots of sodium chlorate on it over the years and we're in a low rainfall part of the country but the weeds are stall as rampant as always this year. -- Chris Green |
#15
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T i m wrote:
On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 10:04:18 +0100, Terry Pinnell wrote: I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? I was looking for summat similar the other day and came to the conclusion you are what you drink .. ie, there is a good chance that anything strong enough to kill the soil could leech into the water tabe and do the same to you (and the rest of us)? ;-( I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Actually it doesn't. It makes it worse. You get wind blown seeds, rain, and mud dust blown into the cracks. Fitting a membrane will hold the water in and encourage them to germinate. It does discurage deep rooted stuff, but thats eldom an issue with block paving. Is there any way you could pressure wash all the sand out between the blocks (again) and replace with a very weak, dry sand / cement mix and let it go off on it's own (or gently water it in). Not sure if blocks have to be 'live' or not ..? I'm told diesel works pretty well .. if you can stand the smell and keeping in mind all the above ... yes, it does, but its probably nastier than chlorate in terms of poisoning. All the best .. T i m |
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On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 13:03:49 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
wrote: I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Actually it doesn't. It makes it worse. You get wind blown seeds, rain, and mud dust blown into the cracks. Indeed .. but nothing that wouldn't come out easily? When clearing my mates back garden recently I nearly had to take some thistles down with a chainsaw (my 32cc 'Bushwacker' just grazed them) ;-( Fitting a membrane will hold the water in and encourage them to germinate. I've not used / tried such yet but I thought the *point* of these 'membranes' is that they are permeable? All the best .. T i m |
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T i m wrote:
On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 13:03:49 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote: I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Actually it doesn't. It makes it worse. You get wind blown seeds, rain, and mud dust blown into the cracks. Indeed .. but nothing that wouldn't come out easily? When clearing my mates back garden recently I nearly had to take some thistles down with a chainsaw (my 32cc 'Bushwacker' just grazed them) ;-( Fitting a membrane will hold the water in and encourage them to germinate. I've not used / tried such yet but I thought the *point* of these 'membranes' is that they are permeable? Only time Ive seen them work is on top of the soil: Once the dirt collects the grass starts a-growin. All the best .. T i m |
#18
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The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Fitting a membrane will hold the water in and encourage them to germinate. I've not used / tried such yet but I thought the *point* of these 'membranes' is that they are permeable? Only time Ive seen them work is on top of the soil: Once the dirt collects the grass starts a-growin. We've got them with bark/slabs on top. Weeds root in the bark but pull straight up intact with no effort, unless they've managed to slip a root under the slabs. -- Spamtrap in use To email replace 127.0.0.1 with blueyonder dot co dot uk |
#19
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The Natural Philosopher wrote:
I think one of the current solutions is to fit a membrane under the paving (no use to you (or me) now I know) and that pretty well prevents the problem (rather than looking for a cure). Actually it doesn't. It makes it worse. You get wind blown seeds, rain, and mud dust blown into the cracks. Fitting a membrane will hold the water in and encourage them to germinate. It does discurage deep rooted stuff, but thats eldom an issue with block paving. Membranes are porous so they don't prevent the water draining away. -- Chris Green |
#20
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Terry Pinnell wrote:
I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. Brush in a little sodium chlorate weedkiller. |
#21
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Terry Pinnell wrote:
I'm fighting an ongoing battle against weeds growing through the sand-gaps in out brick paths and patio. I spent the weekend clearing them, this time with a high pressure hose, and refilling with fine sand. So now I want to do whatever I can to PREVENT their reappearance. Or at least postpone it for a long time. But I could find nothing that appeared suitable on the Homebase shelves this morning. Products like PathClear seem to require the weeds to be present and growing! So I am hoping someone here can recommend a product that I can soak into the sand that will STOP the weeds actually growing. Surely there must be something potent enough to do this please? Just realised I should have posted this in uk.rec.gardening! But if anyone here has any ideas please... -- Terry, West Sussex, UK |
#22
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On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 13:45:53 +0100, Terry Pinnell
wrote: Just realised I should have posted this in uk.rec.gardening! Seems straightworward to me ... 'killing (rather than cultivating) plants *yourself* .. ' ;-) All the best .. T i m |
#23
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T i m wrote:
On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 13:45:53 +0100, Terry Pinnell wrote: Just realised I should have posted this in uk.rec.gardening! Seems straightworward to me ... 'killing (rather than cultivating) plants *yourself* .. ' ;-) All the best .. T i m Thanks for all those very helpful replies (many more than in uk.rec.gardening g). -- Terry, West Sussex, UK |
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