Weeds and cobblestone driveway

irewestlad

Hey all

I’ve been battling weeds in my cobblestone driveway for years and with a busy family live I’m not getting to give it the attention it needs.

I know I can put down sand with a form of weed suppressor in it but any sand tend to blows away as we are in quite an open area

Is there any more permanent solution to this problem? Aside from tarmacing the drive way! Can I fill in the gaps with anything which will last longer than a year and still look good?

Thanks

The Continental Op

My answer would be to spay it with Roundup 3-4 times a year. Would take you no more than 20minutes each time.

Water John

If you don't want chemicals, use a flame burner;

https://www.thegardenshop.ie/weed-burner/

Allinall

That’s what I do.

The environmentalists ( that’s a bloody long word) don’t like it, but it does the job.

Water John

As an organic farmer, I suppose I am one of the environmentalists. Used many chemicals in the past but more I read and research, esp about soils, I've moved away from them. I would be concerned for both children and pets on those areas, but each to their own.

BorneTobyWilde

Need a moss killer, Roundup won't kill moss

Also need a weed killer ,

https://www.afmireland.com/product-page/irish-organic-weed-killer-1x5-ltr

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123609944#Comment_123609944

Roundup is a rip off, better off using Gallup XL. It can be bought from the north in 5l containers for €50 + postage €7.50 which would last a long time on a small driveway/patio. I use it every year at spring and autumn and it keeps them at bay. It needs to be used correctly though with care and attention. https://www.thedandys.ie/product/gallup-xl-5-ltrs-2.5-acres

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123609944#Comment_123609944

Agreed. Important to note too that it's essential to repeat spray before any new weeds have gone to seed, otherwise you're back to square one. So spray existing, let them die off, then spray any new seedlings.

Obviously there will still be randomers blowing in but the initial prevention is the best cure.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123609991#Comment_123609991

For most if not all chemicals used in the past I'd certainly agree, but I'd be pretty confident that glyphosate will be proven to be essentially harmless to the environment in the long run.

It has a quite fascinating history, initially intended as an antibiotic and only accidentally discovered to be a herbicide. It affects a single protein in plants that is not present in mammals and the oft lambasted GM crops merely have this protein removed. Most people have ingested a GM crop in some form at this stage.

It binds tightly to soil too meaning it's very unlikely to leach into watercourses and is broken down by bacteria. I read a study a couple of years ago which included suicide attempts by deliberate ingestion and iirc only one was successful. I'll see if I can find it.

looksee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123613708#Comment_123613708

Have you actually tried that? I had some used on paving and it didn't last any time at all. Quite possible it was not put in deep enough but it broke away quite quickly.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123613708#Comment_123613708

Sorry is that a joke? Take a look at the OPs pictures and then tell me how you are going to get small stones and resin into those gaps.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123610027#Comment_123610027

will this kill moss as well?

youtheman

Biological washing power is great for killing moss. You might still have to brush off the dead moss with a stiff brush however. I just buy the cheap stiff from Lidl/Aldi, wait until light rains is forecast and then put down a light dusting of the powder. Kills it instantly.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614204#Comment_123614204

No Roundup will not kill moss. Some people even say it encourages it. It doesn't but because there are no weeds to compete with the moss it can look that way.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123614204#Comment_123614204

No, Gallup is just a weed killer.

Forza_Monza

Westland Resolva 24H does the trick for me in my driveway. I spot spray every few months without issues.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123615199#Comment_123615199

Its glyphosate (Roundup) with a bit of Diquat so you can see it working more quickly.