Well, you could be British?
You definitely want to mind the usage instructions. If it isn't explicitly labeled as Roundup-free I would hazard a guess and say that bowlie is right.
This case of using Gesal Super Rapid in 2018 resulted in a 600.- fine to a Jane Que plus 3000 conditional fine. She had used the biocide on weeds growing between stone slabs that made a path, the same regulations will apply to your private space this thread is about (possibly with the exception of garden, lawn, and other larger non-sealed surfaces).
Thanks for linking that article, Urs.
This is an excellent example of something that should be better understood about a variety of products, not just garden chemicals: Just because you can buy it here does not necessarily mean you can freely use it here.
Always read the mice type, and research relevant regulation. When in doubt, ask at your Gemeinde, or ask a local expert.
Apart from nuking from orbit I can recommend vinegar essence. Pure alcohol works too.
I just learned of this boiling water trick recently and tried it for the first time a couple of weeks ago on the weeds that have been popping up through the stone or concrete pavers on our patio. (I was so tired of having to dig them out with one of those special tools once per month or so, which obviously wasn't killing them). I carefully poured probably a cup or half a cup of the boiling hot water onto each weed and the next day they were all brown and shriveled up and haven't come back yet. And as an added bonus, it doesn't cost a thing.
Its not much. You just need to scald the green areas and the base of the plant. You're not drowning the weeds. I might refer to it as a "splash".
Same is true for the burners. It`s not necessary to incinerate or set the weeds on fire. The heat just needs to get close enough to damage the internals.
I'm pretty sure electricity isn't free.
On the driveway, I find that rock salt (sold in 25kg bags) works wonders. Bonus - you don't need to go out of your way as I apply it in winter for the snow/ice... so it melts with the water and goes into all the cracks.
On the lawn, a group of kids looking for something to do on the weekend (person who rips the most dandelion roots wins a prize) does wonders. As a bonus, they seem to want to come back the weekend after to play again
So I tried most of the recommendations for removing weeds in paving cracks:
Boiling water:
for tap-rooted weeds - you need a lot, lot more than people are recommending and most weeds came back after a couple of weeks.
An incredible waste of energy.
Vinegar: More like a minor inconvenience to the weed.
Burning: Possibly OK in summer when the weeds are really dry otherwise as effective as hot water.
Pulling with a special tool: Incredibly hard on the wrists. The roots tend to snap off and so new growth appears from the root. However, see below:
I found the most effective way was to use one of those special tools - but during or after heavy rain . Much less effort is required. It's fast and as the weed is loosened, the whole plant, including the tap root comes up.
No chemicals, gas or electricity is involved.
Last week I bought a "flame-thrower" and annihilated the hundreds of dandelions along the front of the property, in the setting-area gravel, and on the gravel drive. It took a while, but they are all gone. Hot water was not an option; it would have taken hours, and the electric bill would be interesting. The wand was $30 euros, and a canister of gas is 6. In price, it beats Roundup hands down, to say nothing of the bumblebees--new study from Konstanz:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf7482
Can you report back in a couple of weeks and let me know whether they've grown back? !
Same here. I'll use the high pressure cleaner next week. It's a low-effort solution that works for quite a while (and all stones are nicely clean again).
Sure, but it may be hard to say whether the new growth is from new weeds or from old roots! We are surrounded by fields of dandelion all summer. I'll be interested to see, too.
I forgot to mention that. That's quite effective but if you need to clean paving too then it's a double win!
You can wash the dirt out too and if, when the slabs are dry, you brush sand into the cracks, that should help prevent new weed seedlings from growing well.
Two-week report...I would say 10% came back, albeit weakly, from existing roots. The instructions say 5-8 seconds of heat, so perhaps these were 5ers. Next time I'll leave it on for 8. Anyway, it's fun. I felt a bit like a kid seeing what happens to a bug when you train a magnifying glass on it on a sunny day.
I was out burning yesterday. I also got use of a power sprayer, but was advised not to do the weeds in the cracks that way, because the tiles are on sand and I'd blast the sand away too, leading to other issues. So fire it is!
You were visiting my little home along Les Toblerones yesterday?
Well, I needed to distract myself while waiting for canine news, so I decided to tackle the weeds that have sprung up on my patio. Of which there are many.
The only way to get the weeds out between the granite tiles is old school, by hand on my knees. Which reminded me to mention one of my most useful 'older gardener's helpers':
Roofer's knee pads. Harder outer shell, thick padding inside. Very comfy, and more functional than the foam cushion thingy because you don't have to constantly get up and re-position. If you do much kneeling while gardening, these are the best thing since sliced bread.
Your knees will thank you. If not now, in the years to come.
ETA: These are the Roofer's kneepads I have, but there are many different brands:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Professio...s%2C75&sr=8-10