Friday 10 September 2021

Patios

 Why is is that everywhere I've lived since 1992 has had a patio that's needed weeding several times every summer? (and even when Col was alive it was always my job to do it.)

On those garden makeover programmes you never hear anyone telling the owners that weeds will appear however well laid the slabs are to start with.

I sit on a low stool and shuffle about with a weeding tool until it looks good again. Then give it a good sweep with a stiff broom.

 

 I expect there are nasty weedkillers that would do it more easily but they are not something that gets used by me.


Back Tomorrow
Sue

24 comments:

  1. Oh Sue how I agree with your attitude to patios. I rarely sit out on mine. My 'upper level' patio is covered with weed suppressant material and then nine tons of pebbles and then has shrubs let into it here and there - so easy to care for and so much 'gentler' to look out on than hard concrete slabs.

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  2. You can mix white vinegar with a little dishwashing liquid and spray it on the weeds to control what comes up on a patio or driveway. It is much safer than chemicals. I love all the things you can do around the house with vinegar and also with baking soda. Your patio looks very nice and welcoming.

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  3. I don't actually mind a few (little!) weeds and plants in patios, I think it breaks up the starkness. My sister, however, loathes them and whips out any offending plant/weed that dares to darken her patio.

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  4. I had a friend who lived in a beautiful medieval house and the cracks in her patio were filled with poppies and looked like something out of a magazine.

    Of course, the rest of us get horrid perennial weeds that look dreadful!

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  5. A kettle of boiling water is an effective weedkiller. Particularly in the spring when they are tiny. They don't stand a chance, cheap and green.

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  6. In our old house the patio had been laid on top of a heavy concrete area so no weeds stood a chance. Plenty of algae though from the damp weather!

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  7. I'm with you on the nasty weed killers, we have a double gravel parking space, always have weeds, hubby got a weed burner wand, he does our drive and next doors as well. Not as green as you, but it does stop back pains.

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  8. I agree with Bonnie vinegar and dishwasher liquid is good, I find sprinkle salt is good as well. There was lots of weeds in my bungalow before I moved in and I worked hard to get rid of them and know I enjoy getting them out has they come.
    My patio is solid concrete so no weeds on it.
    Hazel 🌈🌈

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  9. Have you tried salt? I've been told that works. When we had an 'old bricks' patio we let alyssum grow, and it was lovely. Then we got that pressed concrete that looked like paving stones, and a ($$) new outdoor space, and the alyssum was no more.

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  10. Here we have an L-shaped stable yard of18th C cobbles, surrounding large quarry chippings. Both beloved of weeds. I pull up what I can (easier when it's rained) and use vinegar but the area is fairly large and the weeds are winning!

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  11. I did use Jeyes Fluid once, but it made the place smell like a public lavatory for a week.

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  12. I just get my brother to spray them off every so often. Works a treat.

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  13. Mine is the same..I refuse to use the poison sprays, too....and it’s been way too hot in the US this summer to be outside during the day.

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  14. Years ago, I discovered if you put nothing but white vinegar in a spray bottle to spray the weeds/grasses that sprout between pavers or on concrete, it kills them (safely) and prevents new growth by acidifying the soil underneath. Sometimes it takes a few applications; especially following rain. In fact, if there's any area you don't want plant growth it works.

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  15. I also have a patio and the seams between the blue stone occasionally show weeds. When this happens, I pull the weeds out and add polymeric sand where the weed sat. Then wet down the area with the hose. The polymeric sand bonds and hardens, preventing weeds for at least a season. I've tried pouring clorox on weeds for a quick fix and it does not work. One rainfall and the weed is back!

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  16. The boiling water works well in tiny cracks. We have just got a weed burner to deal with bigger area/drive. But I weaken now and again on the total annellation of everything and let the self sown violas/pansy take over!

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  17. Now that I am retired, I don't mind weeding as much as I used to. On a nice day, it gets me outside and helps me feel productive. You're right that it always looks so nice when it is done!

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  18. If you have a weed whacker you can angle it and sort of dig the weeds out. Then use your preferred killer on any little bits that remain. Instant gratification without bending over.

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  19. I've tried the vinegar approach and, while they do eventually come back, it really helped. xx

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  20. Sorry late to the party, we have a sealant on ours which hardens the sand between the slabs, it's only been down a year but theres no weeds...yet. It wasnt that expensive either.

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  21. Dish soap, vinegar, salt? There are many ''green'' remedies. My did grew a groundcover instead---creeping thyme or chamomile, I believe.

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  22. I have a question- does using vinegar, salt or bleach affect the stones/concrete any? I would be afraid it would break down the patio at some point. Thanks!

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