"NewGardener" wrote in message
...

Hi, this issue is driving me a little nuts and as i do not have green
fingers I have joined this group and hopefully have posted in the right
forum.

The previous owners of our house laid down an area of hardcore (stones,
earth, around 10mx10m) and over time some grass, weeds, earth have
accumulated. From our first year we have had this algae/seaweed
'growing' on top of the area. It has a slimy texture, green, cresent
shaped nodules growing in bunches that join to form mats over the whole
area. None of our neighbours have it with similar terrain/drainage
issues.

It does not grow on the 'grassed' areas but on mud, mosses, stone
areas.

We usually scrap it up in shovels (unfortunately the hardcore is porous
and difficult to brush/scrap) and we have thought about putting down
bleach. Bleach certainly kills it but obviously not a good solution,
but no water course near to us. Also we would prefer a solution that
inhibits regrowth.

Firstly: What is it? And what can we do to get rid of it?

Many thanks
Grape

Sounds a bit like liverwort. Look up some pictures on Google Images. There
are herbicides easily available that will kill liverwort but from the way
you describe your plot of land it will come back eventually.

You don't say what you want to do with the area. If it is to be planted then
you need to dig out the rubbish and lay topsoil. If it is to be paved then
kill everything with Sodium chlorate before laying the pavings. Don't leave
it as it is because it obviously an eyesore.

HTH
R.