Thank you for all your replies, I should have explained my wife and I are both in are eighties and disabled so kneeling is out of the question and the problem we have with weeds is down the drive, and paved footpath, not in a lawn or flower bed, -- sorry
In your situation then a weed burner might be a good idea.It won't kill the weeds, except tiny ones, but should keep them down for you without you needing to kneel. You may have to remove any large weeds first though.
I'm not generally a fan of weedkiller (I use glyphosate occasionally for weeds that have roots growing into or under something immovable that keep coming back after repeated and frequent cutting down to the ground). However if you can't hand-weed because of disability or because the roots are under paving etc, and if there are no desirable plants/lawn nearby, there might be a case for a specific path weedkiller that also inhibits new germination. They're strong stuff though, so be very careful to apply accurately and according to the instructions if you go for that option. Not cheap either.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
No chemicals here either. I agree, if you can't kneel down for any length of time to get them out (a job I find most satisfying but find I can do it for shorter periods of time each year) a flamethrower might be best. Our path is a disgrace. It is an old concrete path, laid who knows when but it came with the house and we haven't had the money to change it, which is very cracked and broken so has lots of stuff growing in it. Grass mainly but also erigeron, violas and even hollyhocks! But also weeds. I have a go at it from time to time but as it is still walkable on its fine by me. I am not a neat and tidy gardener!
A driveway or path is different. I think most people thought you were talking about flower beds/borders @Blues You can get weed killers which are also preventative, so they'll apparently help to keep weeds at bay for several months. Whether they work or not, I don't know. I don't use them. I only spot weed the odd thing that appears. The burner sounds a good option though.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks again for the extended messages, I don't think a flame thrower and my wife would make a good partnership and I agree it probably would not kill the roots of established plants unless you melted the tarmac or got the slabs so hot they would explode. I think the best option is to give my son-in-law the job, he'll love that.
Thank you for all your replies, I should have explained my wife and I are both in are eighties and disabled so kneeling is out of the question and the problem we have with weeds is down the drive, and paved footpath, not in a lawn or flower bed, -- sorry
Not judging @Blues. It's easy for me to say get down on your knees and weed, I'm only in my forties. If you can't, you can't
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But now we know: the problem is a drive/path.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
My advice to the original posters and anyone else of advancing years is: get your paths sorted, it could be your best investment.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
You can get weed killers which are also preventative, so they'll apparently help to keep weeds at bay for several months. Whether they work or not, I don't know. I don't use them. I only spot weed the odd thing that appears.
The burner sounds a good option though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...