Weeds, moss, or even miniature trees—what are they growing in between your pavers? If “all of the above” is your response, you are in the same situation as I was up until lately. My patio seemed to have more plants than bricks, so I wanted to replace it as soon as possible.
Despite my impatience, I took the time to research weed removal techniques and select the finest ones. To learn how I easily and sustainably removed every weed from in between my pavers, click here.
Techniques I discarded
As a writer for the home and garden industry, I’m astounded by the abundance of internet solutions for issues ranging from getting rid of weeds between pavers to using up a big crop of cucumbers. A lot of recommendations, whether harmful, ineffectual, or astronomically expensive compared to the issue they claim to fix, probably haven’t even been tried by the people who promote them, despite the fact that some do come from credible sources.
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So I did the opposite and instead of recommending weed removal techniques between pavers without having tried them, I rejected some techniques. I’ll explain my reasoning in a moment.
Salt. It sounds eco-friendly and easy to sprinkle salt on weeds between pavers. However, this chemical has a tendency of moving from paved areas to the surrounding soil during times of intense rains. Salt kills all vegetation, not just the kinds you don’t want, according to Gardening 101.
Baker’s soda. Baking soda is regarded as a miracle cure-all by many bloggers. Why do they advise using this substance to eradicate weeds? Why, of course, due to the sodium (salt) concentration. The reasons why salt is hazardous for your landscape are discussed.
Blowtorching. Burning the weeds between my pavers, something I’ve come to actually detest, is seductively enticing. I regrettably don’t have a blowtorch, and I have a sneaking suspicion that my condo committee wouldn’t approve anyway.
Herbicide. Commercial herbicides are frequently highly effective at eliminating weeds, but there are two restrictions. First off, they don’t destroy weed seeds, which means that before you realize it, you can have a fresh crop of undesirable plants. Second, the plants you do want are endangered by their runoff.
Bleach. The same as above, but more so. Bleach is bad for the pavers themselves as well as the neighboring soil and plants. When the goal is to improve the appearance of your patio, path, or driveway, why take the chance of bleach staining them?
Vinegar. A vinegar spray will burn weed leaves, but it will also burn any plant leaves it comes into contact with, including the leaves of your lovely begonias. What it won’t do is kill the weed roots, which means you’ll soon be faced with a similar issue. Be mindful that vinegar’s acidity will cause garden soil’s pH to decrease.
Hand dragging. Here is a technique that won’t harm the environment or the pavers. Sadly, my knees and back said “No” to this one.
What I actually employed, with excellent outcomes
You guessed it, I choose to use hot water as my strategy!
Benefits: Boiling water is affordable and widely available. Furthermore, it doesn’t have any adverse long-term effects on the environment. When the liquid drips out and reaches the lawn and garden, it has cooled down harmlessly after striking the weeds with sizzling force.
The outcomes were excellent. The weeds lost their energy right away. After treatment, they had significant drooping within an hour. And the following day, they had dried up and shriveled to the point where I could just sweep them away with a broom.
Treat particularly big areas
It might not be practicable to use a kettle of recently boiled water to treat an exceptionally big paver surface. Try pressure washing instead. The best water is hot. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and begin with a low pressure to prevent damaging your pavers.
Prevention
If you employ a contractor to build a new patio, check that the pavers are properly interlocked and that there is appropriate drainage.
Fill the joints with polymeric sand for paver projects, both new and old. This mixture of sand and unique chemicals prevents erosion, weed growth, and insect infestation.