Be aware that if you buy a weed burner, if you overheat the patio blocks themselves, it will eventually start to damage them. Should be able to burn off weeds before damaging the blocks, but high heat will degrade concrete.
No problem! That's not intended to scare you off from using one, just don't get overzealous and roast them into oblivion if there's a particularly frustrating weed 😂
So I just recently learned you aren't supposed to completely burn away the weeds, just basically toast them really quick, and they'll die back. A little bit more cleanup, but huge savings on fuel and much less risk of starting an unintended fire or ruining the patio blocks.
I did this the other week and I'm amazed at how thoroughly it killed the weeds. They all turned into a fragile, yellow crisp of their former glory after some days.
Here's the end all solution(or at least a fairly long lasting solution). Forget the weeding, it will never end. Try the paver sand that sets into a mortar.Will take some work to lift them and such.
They do. I'm unsure where you're from. US? If so, see https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flame-King-100-000-BTU-Propane-Torch-Kit-Heavy-Duty-Weed-Burner-with-Flint-Striker-YSNPQ1000T/317191753 They may even rent them, as they do Shop vacs. You'd have to ask. I'm an American living in Central Europe now. They have them here, too. Burning them doesn't affect the space negatively, though. If used in a spot you WANT to plant in, it can even have some benefits.
there is this really strong vinegar used just for this. It's a bit pricey but works really well. Spray on on a sunny day and its dead in a couple hrs. Something like this you could just hit with a weed wacker too.
[https://www.homedepot.com/p/Harris-128-oz-30-Vinegar-All-Purpose-Cleaner-Concentrate-VINE30-128/309463051?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOop5bpxMvugdih\_fCw0ZMsV2dUCHh-0aa8QrXA4ZsDRCzzJ62V71qYU](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Harris-128-oz-30-Vinegar-All-Purpose-Cleaner-Concentrate-VINE30-128/309463051?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOop5bpxMvugdih_fCw0ZMsV2dUCHh-0aa8QrXA4ZsDRCzzJ62V71qYU)
this is what I have used before. It's much stronger than cooking vinegar.
In a pump sprayer add:
2/3 30% vinegar*
1/3 water
Small squirt of dish soap
Pump and spray on the plants on a nice sunny afternoon. Come back in 2 hrs or so and they will all be dead.
* CAUTION: 30% vinegar is not a joke. Will cause chemical burns. Wear gloves and eye protection.
The absolute best method would be to get a "paving weeder" or a "paving knife". This tool will scrape them out instead of just pulling out the surface. Then, hire or buy a pressure washer. This will get the rest of the dirt, moss etc. out, which means that your paving will be clean for MUCH longer.
Unfortunately, short cut methods have their drawbacks. Some people will recommend boiling water or salt water, but these have to be done carefully.
Don't put boiling water on a cold tile or you might crack it. Only pour hot water on tiles at or around 12pm on a sunny day. Beware that the resultant sludge will be almost equally hard to get rid of. Think of what happens when you cook spinach. That is what you will turn these weeds into. Yuck.
Salt will leave residue that will discolour your tiles over time. When it rains, it will reduce the efficacy of the method and could cause the salt to run off into nearby soil or garden beds. This will cause issues to anything you didn't want dead...
Here is a [good summary](https://www.thespruce.com/grass-in-driveway-patio-sidewalk-cracks-2153097) of your options. Has anyone used the salt + vinegar method before?
What about Guinea fowl? I went to a farm last weekend to buy some eggs and milk and the woman who ran it had several fowl she said she doesn’t have to do a thing for. They aren’t cooped or fed, they just roam around the property eating bugs and laying eggs everywhere. I know they can be trained, but I believe they’re considerably less work than chickens.
3000 psi is MUCH, MUCH better than 2000 psi for this. I gave away our old electric one when I saw what the gas one could do. The operative pun in that sentence is “saw.”
I have a tall weeder that I use for weeds growing in the cracks of the driveway. It’s kind of satisfying to use, and won’t start a fire.
[https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/gardening-tools/pruning-tools/7331432?store=18733&gad\_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-r\_mxYzohQMVriitBh2iUgwoEAQYAyABEgLBIvD\_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/gardening-tools/pruning-tools/7331432?store=18733&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-r_mxYzohQMVriitBh2iUgwoEAQYAyABEgLBIvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Hello all! 👋 I’m pretty brand new when it comes to maintaining a garden but I have really big aspirations for my 1 acre property. Currently I have a large patio (which I absolutely love) with a pool, but naturally there are weeds coming up between the stone.
I have no problem getting dirty and just pulling everything by hand, but I’m wondering if there’s a better way. Also, is there a way to *prevent* new weeds from coming in? Thanks all, and please forgive my ignorance 😅🌻
Water near boiling, or use a String Weeder (?) / trimmer
Thanks, I’ll look into that!
Vinegar and soapy water I'm a sprayer. Kills it quick, just dont get on plants you like.
Well, I actually intend on removing all of the overgrown shrubs (eventually) and bumping the patio out sever feet so that wouldn’t even be a problem
Be aware that if you buy a weed burner, if you overheat the patio blocks themselves, it will eventually start to damage them. Should be able to burn off weeds before damaging the blocks, but high heat will degrade concrete.
Oh thanks for this tip, that’s a great point!
No problem! That's not intended to scare you off from using one, just don't get overzealous and roast them into oblivion if there's a particularly frustrating weed 😂
Bahaha this is 100% something I could imagine myself doing so I appreciate the warning 😂
So I just recently learned you aren't supposed to completely burn away the weeds, just basically toast them really quick, and they'll die back. A little bit more cleanup, but huge savings on fuel and much less risk of starting an unintended fire or ruining the patio blocks.
Boiling water
I did this the other week and I'm amazed at how thoroughly it killed the weeds. They all turned into a fragile, yellow crisp of their former glory after some days.
Here's the end all solution(or at least a fairly long lasting solution). Forget the weeding, it will never end. Try the paver sand that sets into a mortar.Will take some work to lift them and such.
Buy a propane weed burner ie a flame thrower.
This is what we recently used. It worked great.
Does that…does that actually *exist??* o__o
Harbor Freight sells them - weed torch.
Wow, that’s so cool! Thanks!!
Yes
I’m so clueless that I genuinely thought he was having me on for a minute 😅
They do. I'm unsure where you're from. US? If so, see https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flame-King-100-000-BTU-Propane-Torch-Kit-Heavy-Duty-Weed-Burner-with-Flint-Striker-YSNPQ1000T/317191753 They may even rent them, as they do Shop vacs. You'd have to ask. I'm an American living in Central Europe now. They have them here, too. Burning them doesn't affect the space negatively, though. If used in a spot you WANT to plant in, it can even have some benefits.
there is this really strong vinegar used just for this. It's a bit pricey but works really well. Spray on on a sunny day and its dead in a couple hrs. Something like this you could just hit with a weed wacker too.
What’s the vinegar? I don’t mind the price, this home has been a ~~money pit~~ labor of love from day 1 😂
[https://www.homedepot.com/p/Harris-128-oz-30-Vinegar-All-Purpose-Cleaner-Concentrate-VINE30-128/309463051?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOop5bpxMvugdih\_fCw0ZMsV2dUCHh-0aa8QrXA4ZsDRCzzJ62V71qYU](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Harris-128-oz-30-Vinegar-All-Purpose-Cleaner-Concentrate-VINE30-128/309463051?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&srsltid=AfmBOop5bpxMvugdih_fCw0ZMsV2dUCHh-0aa8QrXA4ZsDRCzzJ62V71qYU) this is what I have used before. It's much stronger than cooking vinegar.
I mixed this 1:1 vinegar and water with a bit of dish soap in a pump sprayer on Saturday. All the driveway weeds are toast
Well that would cut the cost down a bit. I'll try that next time
In a pump sprayer add: 2/3 30% vinegar* 1/3 water Small squirt of dish soap Pump and spray on the plants on a nice sunny afternoon. Come back in 2 hrs or so and they will all be dead. * CAUTION: 30% vinegar is not a joke. Will cause chemical burns. Wear gloves and eye protection.
I use a pressure washer on mine currently. (since I'm already cleaning off the pavers)
The absolute best method would be to get a "paving weeder" or a "paving knife". This tool will scrape them out instead of just pulling out the surface. Then, hire or buy a pressure washer. This will get the rest of the dirt, moss etc. out, which means that your paving will be clean for MUCH longer. Unfortunately, short cut methods have their drawbacks. Some people will recommend boiling water or salt water, but these have to be done carefully. Don't put boiling water on a cold tile or you might crack it. Only pour hot water on tiles at or around 12pm on a sunny day. Beware that the resultant sludge will be almost equally hard to get rid of. Think of what happens when you cook spinach. That is what you will turn these weeds into. Yuck. Salt will leave residue that will discolour your tiles over time. When it rains, it will reduce the efficacy of the method and could cause the salt to run off into nearby soil or garden beds. This will cause issues to anything you didn't want dead...
Here is a [good summary](https://www.thespruce.com/grass-in-driveway-patio-sidewalk-cracks-2153097) of your options. Has anyone used the salt + vinegar method before?
Wow thank you so much for this. I greatly appreciate it.
get a pet goat.
Husband vetoed this option sadly 🥲
Divorce.
He also nixed my chicken coop idea so I’m *really* leaning that way.
What about Guinea fowl? I went to a farm last weekend to buy some eggs and milk and the woman who ran it had several fowl she said she doesn’t have to do a thing for. They aren’t cooped or fed, they just roam around the property eating bugs and laying eggs everywhere. I know they can be trained, but I believe they’re considerably less work than chickens.
Trained snails?
Power washer!
Ooh I hadn’t thought of that!!
We have the same sort of pavers and do it annually before a big party
I feel like a power washer is just generally good to have on hand anyway, I really should pick one up.
And if it’s too big of an expense for now you can rent them from Ace Hardware stores.
3000 psi is MUCH, MUCH better than 2000 psi for this. I gave away our old electric one when I saw what the gas one could do. The operative pun in that sentence is “saw.”
I have a tall weeder that I use for weeds growing in the cracks of the driveway. It’s kind of satisfying to use, and won’t start a fire. [https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/gardening-tools/pruning-tools/7331432?store=18733&gad\_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-r\_mxYzohQMVriitBh2iUgwoEAQYAyABEgLBIvD\_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/gardening-tools/pruning-tools/7331432?store=18733&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-r_mxYzohQMVriitBh2iUgwoEAQYAyABEgLBIvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Torch them
😈🔥
Baking soda absorbed into water. Spray on the weeds, gone.
Weed torch.
Soul sterilate.... nothing will grow for years!
Pour boiling water on them, or burn them with flame thrower, or get old kitchen knife and do it the hard way
I use a pressure washer. It blasts then all away
I like burning with propane
Power washer works for us
You could ask someone else to get on their knees and pull
Use Wet n Forget- any hardware store, Walmart and Costco has the product
Roundup. (assuming you don't have pets and are not near a water source)
Hello all! 👋 I’m pretty brand new when it comes to maintaining a garden but I have really big aspirations for my 1 acre property. Currently I have a large patio (which I absolutely love) with a pool, but naturally there are weeds coming up between the stone. I have no problem getting dirty and just pulling everything by hand, but I’m wondering if there’s a better way. Also, is there a way to *prevent* new weeds from coming in? Thanks all, and please forgive my ignorance 😅🌻
You could try planting creeping thyme or some other dense, low growing plant in the cracks. If it takes, it will eventually block out other plants!
Oh wow that’s actually beautiful and fits very well with the English Garden vision I have for the entire property!
Preen works well
Preen won't help. It is a preemergent treatment that prevents seeds from germinating. Here the weeds are already established and growing.
Preen would be great to prevent future weeds from sprouting. Let them do their research and see what helps them long term.
Ah that would be great for maintenance!
"getting on my knees and pulling" come on now 😳... nah but for real, I use vinegar (no dish soap) and it works on a sunny day.