Kill Weeds forever

Psycho Sonny · 31 May 2019 at 10:09

Is there way to just get rid of them forever from monoblock and stones? I normally spray bleach on it once a year but they come back the following year with a vengeance.

Can I just buy say 100kg of salt and let that soak into the ground by spreading it around and then waiting for the rain to do it's job.

What would be the cheapest solution? I don't care if it's not environmentally friendly so long as it's cheap. I already have a respirator mask and large pressurised spray bottle.

I know some folk pressure wash ten fill the gaps with sand but they still come through with time.

MrRockliffe · 31 May 2019 at 10:19

Psycho Sonny said:
I don't care if it's not environmentally friendly so long as it's cheap.

Awesome

Psycho Sonny · 31 May 2019 at 10:25

MrRockliffe said:
Awesome

Me not using something effective isnt going to make any difference when you have companies doing more harm than what i do in a lifetime in an hour.

Anyway found 3kg of salt for £1 in asda. Just wondering if that can be beaten.

robj20 · 31 May 2019 at 10:25

I use caustic soda, just brush it on and leave, will clean your stones as well.

Thekwango · 31 May 2019 at 10:29

have you tried Hypochlorite?
https://www.chemiphase.co.uk/sodium-hypochlorite-patio-cleaner-moss-remover-15-grade/

you can usually get stronger solution drums from agricultural suppliers (i think it's used in disinfecting dairy parlours and the like) Very potent stuff. i've used the 'agricultural strength' version in the past before with great results. it kills everything in it's path

bremen1874 · 31 May 2019 at 10:31

Weeds will always come back. Seeds get blown on the wind and then into the cracks. Anything chemical you put down will eventually wash away with the rain

I'd give it an occasional spray with Glyphosate.

robj20 · 31 May 2019 at 10:35

One way to stop anything from ever growing is old engine oil. Might be tricky to apply on this case though.
I've used it before a good 10 years ago, still nothing growing but it does completely destroy the soil.

bremen1874 · 31 May 2019 at 10:37

robj20 said:
One way to stop anything from ever growing is old engine oil. Might be tricky to apply on this case though.
I've used it before a good 10 years ago, still nothing growing but it does completely destroy the soil.

Is this what passes for gardening in Manchester?

robj20 · 31 May 2019 at 10:38

bremen1874 said:
Is this what passes for gardening in Manchester?

Not really. It's replying to the OP though.

pinkpound · 31 May 2019 at 10:57

sodium chlorate(cheap) used to be great for paths/drives till the EU banned it

Dish washer salt is good for paths/drives just dissolve in warm water 1st

Tho Glyphosate works well to

NickK · 31 May 2019 at 11:02

Poor bees with the gylcophosphate.

A quick option is to use a propane burner

heat the soil and it kills the plant and any seeds in the soil (until they are blown in).

Put a barrier down and it will prevent weeds.

MrRockliffe · 31 May 2019 at 11:03

Psycho Sonny said:
Me not using something effective isnt going to make any difference when you have companies doing more harm than what i do in a lifetime in an hour.

Yeah but imagine if the 100,000 people that said that changed their behaviour

If everyone had that attitude, we'd be well and truly in the doo doo.

bremen1874 · 31 May 2019 at 11:07

NickK said:
Put a barrier down and it will prevent weeds.

Even with a barrier, enough soil will eventually wash in between stones/blocks to allow weeds to establish themselves. You can only ever try to slow them down.

wolfie138 · 31 May 2019 at 11:26

Psycho Sonny said:
Me not using something effective isnt going to make any difference when you have companies doing more harm than what i do in a lifetime in an hour..

everyone do their little bit, eh?

Hilly · 31 May 2019 at 11:29

this won't really help in this situation, but diesel kills everything;

My ex had her tank drilled and where the excess diesel spilled out on the parking spot is clear of weeds 3 years later, whilst around that site is full of weeds.

Semple · 31 May 2019 at 11:31

So it sounds like apart from fuel or oil, anything else is only a temporary measure that will require you to do it again the following year.

Psycho Sonny · 31 May 2019 at 11:46

Thekwango said:
have you tried Hypochlorite?
https://www.chemiphase.co.uk/sodium-hypochlorite-patio-cleaner-moss-remover-15-grade/

you can usually get stronger solution drums from agricultural suppliers (i think it's used in disinfecting dairy parlours and the like) Very potent stuff. i've used the 'agricultural strength' version in the past before with great results. it kills everything in it's path

bleach kills everything too and costs pennies for 2 litres from aldi.

i want a permanent solution. it looks like there is none.

I'm going to try salt now though as it's cheaper and more environmentally friendly to boot. no chance of a random cat dying from salt.

robj20 · 31 May 2019 at 11:57

The issue with salt is its water soluble so will wash away quickly.
That's why oil andn diesel work they stay put.

bremen1874 · 31 May 2019 at 12:00

I think I'd prefer a few weeds if the alternative was block paving and gravel covered in old engine oil/diesel.

Psycho Sonny · 31 May 2019 at 12:00

robj20 said:
The issue with salt is its water soluble so will wash away quickly.
That's why oil and diesel work they stay put.

yeah but I can't use that on a monoblock drive. Well I could but I could never sell the house.

Salt is cheap and I don't need to wear a respirator. I don't mind pouring and brushing it around. Will be quicker to use than bleach in a sprayer.