To the scrape-and-scratch-and-wirebrush fans: My principle in weeding is to disturb the soil as little as possible. I try not to bring those seven years of seed to the surface.
To the look-after-the-environment enthusiasts: Your paving is more nature unfriendly than any subsequent chemicals use. Think of the damage you are also doing to the environment through your mobile phone use, your computer addiction and your craving for travel, or even breeding ... I bet these add up to more damage than you could possibly do in the garden.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
If borders are kept weed free, weedy paths are very easy to maintain as well. Glyphosate will be banned in December 2025. Many councils no longer use it, we need to garden in this century and protect our gardens for the future.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
MikeOxgreen said:The powers that be know better than the general public, that's why we're allowed what is sold to us.
When you're talking France, you're talking EU. The powers that be in the EU think they know better. Tin gods!
I was talking about the UK. But as you've mentioned it it isn't a blanket EU ban, it's a few EU members which have banned it at different times and at different levels. My original point is that for weeds in block paving it's fine, I believe that it's been found to cause issues when used in vast amounts by farmers on ground used for grain.
So if that is the possibility then as gardeners we must be careful to not use it near foodstuffs or on ground which will be used for food. Oh and probably don't breathe it in either!
Most of the weedkillers I see in the GCs are not Glyph based any more and in my experience they are not as effective. In fact I think they are a waste of money so I won't buy them any more.
If farmers need to use it for grain then we as gardener's need to cut back on our use. Having a weed free path is not as important as feeding ourselves.
Gardeners are often driven to use chemicals because they want their plot to look as good as a friends or neighbours. There is no longer a place for vanity in gardening. It is now seen as a very old fashioned approach.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
It is interesting that people, particularly on USA based forums, will often be up in arms about the use of herbicides and other pesticides, but happily talk about using salt, bleach and detergent to kill things. Personally, although I attempt to garden organically, I would prefer a neighbour to use a tested pesticide not a random kitchen chemical. Am particularly concerned when people suggest salt as a herbicide.
To the look-after-the-environment enthusiasts: Your paving is more nature unfriendly than any subsequent chemicals use. Think of the damage you are also doing to the environment through your mobile phone use, your computer addiction and your craving for travel, or even breeding ... I bet these add up to more damage than you could possibly do in the garden.
So those of us who choose to park on a paved area, use computers or phones, travel or breed should just use chemicals with gay abandon and forget any aspirations to be environmentally friendly? Whatever happened to “every little helps”?
I agree with @Kate 7. All these 'home remedies', for want of a better term, are more damaging than a decent weedkiller, which targets the weed itself, and more importantly - the roots. Salt, boiling water, bleach, vinegar etc - might kill the top growth, but that's all. What they do to the rest of the surrounding soil is dreadful. The new weedkillers available don't contain glyphosate, and although they take a little more effort, and more applications, they do a decent job if carefully applied. I use some on the gravelled area for our cars, although now that I've redone the whole area, it will be easier to use the hoe in future as the gravel's a good depth.
These misogynistic [ and frankly pathetic ] comments on this thread and another one, are best ignored - literally. Press the button. Saves a lot of grief - and the blood pressure.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
To the look-after-the-environment enthusiasts: Your paving is more nature unfriendly than any subsequent chemicals use. Think of the damage you are also doing to the environment through your mobile phone use, your computer addiction and your craving for travel, or even breeding ... I bet these add up to more damage than you could possibly do in the garden.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
My original point is that for weeds in block paving it's fine, I believe that it's been found to cause issues when used in vast amounts by farmers on ground used for grain.
So if that is the possibility then as gardeners we must be careful to not use it near foodstuffs or on ground which will be used for food.
Oh and probably don't breathe it in either!
Having a weed free path is not as important as feeding ourselves.
Gardeners are often driven to use chemicals because they want their plot to look as good as a friends or neighbours. There is no longer a place for vanity in gardening. It is now seen as a very old fashioned approach.
The new weedkillers available don't contain glyphosate, and although they take a little more effort, and more applications, they do a decent job if carefully applied. I use some on the gravelled area for our cars, although now that I've redone the whole area, it will be easier to use the hoe in future as the gravel's a good depth.
These misogynistic [ and frankly pathetic ] comments on this thread and another one, are best ignored - literally. Press the button. Saves a lot of grief - and the blood pressure.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...