Grass/weeds in gaps on block paving due to stupidity

[sbb]

Hi all, Thanks in advance for any replies.

About 2-3 years ago I had block paving installed on my drive and when it first went down it looked so clean and bright and pink that I stupidly brushed soild over it to dull the colour down.

Because of this stupid act I now have to practically mow the drive :(

I have tried weed killer etc but beacuse the soil is there they keep coming back. What can I do to get the soil out from beween the gap, are the are tools for doing this etc so I can put sand down again. I have considered using a power washer on it but dont what push the so soil in deeper.

Any advice given is appreciated. Thanks Steve

[stuart noble]

Don't beat yourself up over the soil thing :-)

I have a nice crop of lobelia coming up between my slabs, which are thriving in 6" of rubble and sharp sand. IME plenty of things will grow in nothing but sand because it holds moisture well without getting waterlogged.

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

I would go over it with a sodium chlorate weedkiller but bear in mind it's toxic to animals. And oomans. Glyphosate is safer but only works on growing leaves, and slowly at that.

Alternatively, white vinegar is supposed to be a good weedkiller, and cornmeal prevents weed seeds rooting but I don't suppose you'd want to be brushing that all over your drive.

Si

[George]

Petrol,do it frequently for about twice a day over a weeks period.

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

Best idea yet.

Si

[sbb]

Thanks all for all your replies, think setting the drive alight is a bit over kill but guess could wait till Nov 5th to disguise it a bit ;) Wont all the weeds grow back tho, is there no way of removing the dirt etc so the weeds/grass cant root.

Thanks aga> George wrote:

[George]

No dear,arson doesn't apply. :-P

[George]

MTST is a convicted arsonist and will set alight to anything given the chance.

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

Burn baby burn.

Si

[sbb]

Thanks again all, Went out and got some sodium chlorate and will scrape out all the paving weed tool I also bought frm B&Q. Alas they did not sell petrol.

[George]

Suit yourself but a council worker that does the weedkilling for a living told me petrol and said "any stuff you can purchase out of the sheds is money being poured down the drain". The chemical the council use is not available to joe public.

oh! hum.

[meow2222]

why use chlorate when you can use chloride. Non toxic, far cheaper, and you dont need to go out to get it.

NT

[Bob Mannix]

Toxic generally better!

[Bruce]

Good advice.

You can buy white vinegar in 5 litre containers from places like Costco and Makro.

Brushing cornmeal is no worse than brushing sand. It has a fairly strong yellow colour but that shouldn't be a problem if just the right amount is used.

Personally, I would go for sodium chlorate.

[Mogga]

Ah that lovely stuff that kills the grass and lets the annuals flourish!

>

[John]

Disco Inferno, Trammps, 1977. Do I win a prize?

John

[Mungo "Two Sheds" Toadfoot]

Yes. All the sodium chlorate you can eat.

Si