Manually removing weeds between stones is very tedious in the long run. Fortunately, there are also methods that use simple home remedies and tools. Of course, it is even better to prevent unwanted growth.
In a nutshell
- manual removal (tedious but eco-friendly)
- use different equipment
- don't use salt
- Use home remedies instead of chemicals
- Weed fleece or pavement joint mortar for prevention
5 recommended methods to remove weeds
Manual removal
Manual removal is certainly the most environmentally friendly, but at the same time the most tiring and time-consuming method. This option is really only recommended for small terraces or steps. Back pain is common after work. Also, the work puts a strain on your knees. A rubber cushion provides more comfort so that you don't have to kneel on the hard stones.
Another important utensil are gloves. Since, depending on the width of the stone joints, a small cutter knife is recommended for scratching, users risk slitting their fingertips on the stone edges.
The gardener must also be careful not only to cut off the above-ground growth, but to remove the plant together with the root. This is the only way to prevent weeds from reappearing after just a few days. A so-called taproot weevil can help you not only tear off half of the plants.
Tip: After a rain shower, the unwelcome plants are easier to scrape out of the ground. Of course, the conditions on dry days can also be optimized with the garden hose. So that the water seeps deep into the ground, users should flood the stones about an hour before weeding.
weed remover
Although the time saving is limited, a special weed remover offers a little more convenience. A model equipped with a telescopic handle is easy on the back because the user can work comfortably while standing.
An electric weed remover is even more worthwhile. However, this is not suitable for every floor. Some stones threaten to scratch during use.
weed burner
The gardener destroys the plant and the root with a weed burner. However, handling it requires the utmost attention. Children and pets should be kept out of reach. The gardener must also move flammable material or sensitive flower pots beforehand. During use, he may only activate the heat in a vertical position. He must never point the burner at people.
Boiling water
Not only the heat of a weed burner kills the roots of the weed plant. If the application is too difficult for you, do as grandmother used to do and pour boiling water into the joints. The only disadvantage compared to the weed burner is that the plants do not burn completely. After the stones have dried, the gardener must manually pull them out of the ground and dispose of them.
When using it, it is important that the gardener pours the water close to the ground over the joints. If he throws the bucket of water onto the ground from a great height, he risks burning himself from the splashing drops.
Note: Unfortunately, this method only helps to remove fine plant species. In the case of large-leaved weeds such as dandelions or thistles, the hot water only destroys young specimens. In most cases, more than one application is necessary.
high pressure cleaner
A pressure washer is only an option if the floor material is suitable for use. In this case, the user benefits twice over. The device not only helps to remove weeds from the joints, but at the same time cleans the floor and drives away ants that often establish their colonies on terraces. All that is required is a water connection in the garden. This is how removing weeds with the high-pressure cleaner works:
- Connect the high-pressure cleaner to the garden hose
- Spray the water jet directly into the joints
- Then seal the joints with sand
Notice: Even on hot summer days, users of a high-pressure cleaner should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes (preferably rubber boots or safety shoes). Both the water and the splashing dirt particles can cause pain and injuries to the feet and shins due to the high pressure.
4 tips for prevention
Do not dispose of weeds in the compost
Anyone who owns a patio or driveway made of cobblestones knows that removing weeds is usually short-lived. A permanent absence of the annoying growth can hardly be achieved. However, many people unwittingly make a mistake that hastens the return of plants.
After the weeds have been scraped out of the joints, many gardeners dispose of the remains in the compost. Most of the time, the root is still attached to the plant and quickly spreads out again due to the wind. The following therefore applies: Dispose of residues in an airtight container with household or organic waste.
Lay weed control
Anyone who is already thinking about rampant plants when laying the stones saves a lot of work. With a weed fleece, the gardener can effectively prevent dandelions and the like. This is a fine-pored material that he lays under the stone surface. Even delicate plants usually have no chance of penetrating the fleece and reaching the surface of the earth. Weed fleeces are available at hardware stores.
Notice: A layer of gravel or crushed stone is an alternative to a weed fleece. However, it does not help against spore plants.
Work in paving joint mortar
Paving joint mortar is a resin-based aid with a very elastic consistency. The prevention method is also extremely weather-resistant. After users have cleaned the grout, they sweep the grout into the grooves between the stones. Weeds will not appear for a long time.
avoid multiplication
Anyone who discovers "herds of weeds" in the garden should act quickly and cut back the seed heads so that the plants do not spread. This does not ensure weed-free stone joints one hundred percent, but it still helps to curb the unwelcome growth.
Notice: Basically, environmentally friendly home remedies are always preferable to chemical weed killers. In this case, however, Section 6 of the Plant Protection Act prohibits the use of the classic all-rounders vinegar and salt. The latter, in particular, seeps into the deep layers of the earth, contaminating the groundwater and changing the pH of the soil.
frequently asked Questions
Where can I get a weed remover?Not everyone owns a pressure washer or a grout burner. If the long-term purchase is not worthwhile due to infrequent use, customers can simply borrow the equipment from the hardware store. In a good neighborhood, several families share a model provided by a friendly neighbor.
Are all commercial weed killers chemical?No, biological aids are also available in specialist shops. If in doubt, customers are best advised to contact the staff.
Do weeds also grow in sealed joints?No, sealing is probably the most effective method of permanently preventing growth. However, this measure can be very expensive.
Doesn't the removal harm the insects?Weed removal is indeed very controversial. Thistles and dandelions are important food sources for bees and bumblebees. In stone joints on the terrace or the driveway, however, the vegetation looks simply unaesthetic and unkempt. Not to mention the spread of moss that actually encourages weed growth. Anyone who relies on environmentally friendly methods for removal and prevention does not have to have a bad conscience. Every gardener has to decide for himself whether dandelions and thistles are allowed to grow in the garden bed or on the lawn.