Pathclear

Posts

• KT53 Posts: 9,016

  May 2021

  It does seem odd.  I've used it more than once a year on the same area.  As you don't want any plants there I don't see it being a problem.
  

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• Dovefromabove Posts: 88,147

  May 2021 edited May 2021

  From what I read the idea is to avoid saturation of the area with what, after all, is a contaminant, giving the possibility of affecting the growth of plants there in the longer future.
  
  If the Pathclear is applied now I don't see why it should be really necessary to use it more than once a year.  The main weeds will be dead and consequently won't scatter seeds.  Presumably the area around the path is tended and therefore won't have weeds to spread onto the path and any small seedlings from garden plants that pop up can be easily dealt with using a hoe.  
  
  It's the fact that 'amateur gardeners' can't be relied on to apply chemicals according to instructions that has caused some useful treatments to be banned for use by anyone other than professionals.  

  
  Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• trishahardingk9UngB9JLK Posts: 3

  May 2021

  Thank for your replies.
  

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• GravelEater Posts: 124

  May 2021

  Contains:
  125g/L Glyphosate - this is something that only works on growing weeds/plants and is a systemic herbicide (taken in and kills from the inside).  Takes 3-4 weeks to do anything to the weed.  Is broken down in the soil by microorganisms, so doesn't last as a preventative.
  
  20g/L Diflufenican - Acts as a residual herbicide, so it stays in the soil for some time and actively prevents weeds growing.  Before it was banned c.2009, Sodium Chlorate crystals dissolved in water were good for stopping stuff growing for years.
  
  From the Weedol Pathclear label:
  The part I highlighted in yellow seems the reason for their recommended one treatment per year.  Diflufenican builds up in the soil, and may reach some level of toxicity that is beyond recommended levels, hence why they have to tell you to not use it more frequently.
  
  
  

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• Pete.8 Posts: 11,340

  May 2021

  I think the idea is that Pathclear will kill all existing weeds and prevent the germination of any viable seeds that remain.
  So if the existing weeds are dead and any remaining weed seeds are dead in theory no more weeds should appear unless seed blows in from elsewhere.
  I've no idea if I'm right and it's not a product I've ever used but that may be why one dose should keep the area clear of weeds for a year.

  
  Billericay - Essex
  
  Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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• K67 Posts: 2,506

  May 2021

  Never found it worked.  Sodium chlorate did. Ended up spending 2 days once a year raking between the pavers and it was a long and wide driveway plus a paths.
  With a gravel drive it might be easier it hoe and rake the area every so often before the weeds get their roots down.

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• trishahardingk9UngB9JLK Posts: 3

  May 2021

  I like the raking idea and will give that a go. Should be good exercise and perhaps even meditative like a monk raking his Zen garden.
  

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