"keithwood57" wrote

Forgive me if I am covering old ground.
I am not skilled in web use and find it very difficult to navigate.
I am a retired man living in the West Midlands.
I recently changed churches and I was asked if I would take on the
church garden. This was no big problem as it had been quite well
maintained.
However, I realised that part of the job involved keeping the patio area
weeded.
Now, this is a HUGE area of paving stones and, as the church is about
fifty years old, weeds have very seriously established themselves
between them.
I have already weeded the patio twice this year. It takes (me anyway) a
full day and it is very hard work.
I have never had this problem before so I wonder if anyone would like to
make a suggestion - bearing in mind that if a weed-killer is suggested
it needs to be cost-effective. A friendly council worker who passed by
while I was weeding suggested Roundup. Now, I don't know how good this
is - but it is hugely expensive for a pensioner (and, yes, I would like
to bear the cost myself as part of my church giving).

Roundup is the trade name for Glysophate and like all trade names it's
dearer. Try looking for the generic name Glysophate. I think B & Q sell a
Path and Patio Weedkiller that is actually Glysophate but most Garden
Centres now sell the generic stuff as well as Roundup. Now this will kill
off any growing ( green**) plants but will not stop the weed seeds
germinating so you will need to reapply every so often.
There are other weedkillers out there that will kill and prevent regrowth
for a while, normally called Pathclear or some such but again they are more
expensive.
** works only on green leaves, you spray them and they take it down to the
roots and it then kills the plant. It does become degraded in the soil so
will leave no lasting weedkiller.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK