Controlling weeds in paving gaps

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oysterman

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A couple of years ago I pressure-hosed out all the gaps and filled them back with sand.

Now the weeds are worse than ever.

I intend to do the job again this summer. What should I fill the gaps with to slow/prevent weed regrowth? Or is it inevitable?
 
You need to treat the area with something like Pathclear - it will kills the weeds and prevent regrowth.
 
as delgirl suggested - but it's a seasonal thing... best to apply every year, just as the growth starts in middle of spring.. or anytime during the growing season...

Have also heard that salt is a good preventative - but again, just in dry weather. Don't get the salt on the grass / flower areas - will cause damage...
 
Or pour boiling water into the cracks. Will kill weeds and sterilise the soil, stopping, or at least delaying, growth. Works especially well if you use the water that potatoes were boiled in. I used to head out to the garden with my pot and colander every time I'd boiled something in water for the dinner. Worked for me anyway.
 
These joints shouldn't be pressure washed, even re-applying jointing sand, it's very difficult to get a good result and eliminate good weed growing conditions. As above use something like pathclear.
 
I've been told that Hytrol Total Weedkiller works well and lasts for a season but I 've yet to try it, though I intend to do so this year. I've always used a glysophate based product such as Gallup or Touchdown ( both the same as Roundup but much cheaper ), but I find I have to reapply two or three times a year which is time consuming, and finding a dry day with no wind is not easy in Ireland !
 
delgirl said:
You need to treat the area with something like Pathclear - it will kills the weeds and prevent regrowth.
Click to expand...

Pathclear is the business, you can use hot water to dilute it if you want, on a hot day the killing effect is high.

For rogue isolated weeds like dandelion, cut to base and sprinkle salt on the wound.
 
You could consider Ammonium Sulphamate. You can get from a supplier up North.

Have a read of this:
http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/189/ammonium-sulphamate-weed-killer-banned/

It will affect the soil and all creatures living in it while it is active but it turns into fertiliser over the course of a month or so. I run an organic garden/smallholding and personally I would not use it on soil because of this (I am happy to pick weeds) but I don't mind using it in paved areas. It is the most natural and safe weedkiller that you can get, as far as I can see.
 
It has for me and was by far the most effective method I ever used. Don't have a garden or any outdoor space anymore but when I do again, it will again be my preferred method for paved areas. :)
 
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