Betwixt the paving

[Florence Fennel]

Not sure where to put this, so plumping for here. I have had a search, but I can't find anything specific. Can anyone tell me the best way to get weeds and grass from between the paving stones on the paths around my house and on the car port? I have weeded out by hand, but can't do that any more because of physical constraints. I have had varying results with weed killer, but that's a bit expensive. Has anyone tried pressure washing, or are those flame weeders any good?

[HeyWayne]

I've brush that's supposedly designed for cleaning between slabs - it's a wire brush with the bristles pointing inward toward each other to create a kind of 'v' shape. The brush is on the end of a long handle. There's also the 'hook' shaped tool that's designed for this very thing.

Pressure washers have a tendancy to blast the grout out from between the slabs which could mean more work further down the line and makes it easier for weeds to take hold in the crevaces.

Never tried the flame gun, but sounds like a reasonable idea.

Here's the brush I was on about:

Burgon and Ball - Miracle Block Paving Patio Brush

and here be the tool:

B&Q Good Patio Weeder, 0000003842577

You probably know about these already, but thought I'd mention them anyways.

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks Wayne - I have got the tool, but it is physically too demanding for me. I haven't seen the brush before, that looks good, I'll give that a try.

[Bigmallly]

Good old table salt FF..........works every time.

[Florence Fennel]

Really BM? Undiluted or watered in? I have tried bleach before, but without much success.

[Bigmallly]

Straight from the packet.

[Bigmallly]

Extract from "The Organic Gardener".

SALT WEED KILLERS

Geoff Hamilton recommended a spoon full of salt to kill Dandelions and the like. Salt draws water out of cells to leave them dry, and salty soils kill plant roots. So target its application and use sparingly.

Excess salt poisons the soil. Many important organisms: bacteria, fungi, earthworms; will be killed by salinity. It will eventually wash out, even so I would not use it on land intended for cultivating plants. For some gardeners it is an option to consider with drives and gravel areas where plants are not intended to grow and where run off can be contained. Remember, salt will not biodegrade, so regular use will eventually be detrimental to surrounding areas.

[Two_Sheds]

I pour boiling water on the crack weeds. (blimey, what google advert am I going to see at the bottom of the page now?)

It's quick and it works

[Glutton4...]

My Dad has a flame gun - and a huge patio. He now uses Glyphosate - 3 - 4 times a year, as opposed to monthly with the flame gun.

I use salt, on recommendation from my late Nan (RIP). I have a large bag of supermarket's cheapest salt in my work 'tool-kit' especially for weed removal.

[Paulottie]

Sodium chlorate is a bit better than sodium chloride.

Pressure washer or flamegun don't get the roots.