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Removing weeds in paths without weedkiller
mjd2000
Posts: 87
I garden for an elderly couple and there's always loads of weeds coming through their path and drive. I don't have time to hand weed them and I don't use weedkillers on principle. I remember hearing something about studies using soap? Baking soda? Does anyone know of methods to remove weeds from paths without weedkillers or flamethrowers? (I've read about using salt, but that sounds like it would wash into the borders and kill everything else!). Thank you!
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Glyphosate would be as safe if not safer than 'non-chemical' alternatives, the standard one you see mentioned is based on vinegar and salt. (Themselves chemicals - obviously - with toxic properties).
Boiling water from the kettle works but again it's not exactly safe, if you pour it on your foot
Handweeding seems to be the only real non chemical way forward.
Last edited: 13 May 2017 18:45:05
http://weedcontrolfreaks.com/2014/06/salt-vinegar-and-glyphosate/
I have a gadget which is basically a gas weed wand that burns them off. But if you do this job on a volutary basis you have to take into consideration the cost of refills at approx £2.99p a time.
I have the same problem and do not like to use chemicals if they can be avoided.. Years ago there was a pack called Total Deweed it wasused for oathes and driveways and no weeds would grow after for 5 wonderful weedfree years lol.. But then the iron boot stepped in and now it is not available..
Working at ICI opened your eye's to what went into all those wonder weed killers, almost all have Salt NaCI Sodium Chloride and Ascetic Acid CH3COOH, I remember as a lad being told to de-weed the paths in the garden, we had plenty of salt for curing bacon and I would make up a mix of salt vinegar and warm water to dissolve the salt then water the path with a spray nozzle, it worked yet I never saw it cause any loss of plants close to the path. When you consider the garden is one giant chemical plant in the reaction of the soil the growing of the plants and plants themselves I cannot see how you can be chemical free.
Frank.
Hmmm - plenty to think about! Thank you!
You can buy a sort of broom with a small head of brass wire bristles designed for just this problem.
There is a recipe for a weedkiller of epsom salts and vinegar. It certainly works on grass and moss .
Both vinegar and epsom salts are relatively benign chemicals, compared with using Glyphosate.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'