Whether you have a new home, or an older one and whether you are a keen gardener, or not, it is almost certain that you have a paved area somewhere. Maybe you want to lay a paved area, or maybe you want to renovate an older area, but one of the most difficult problems is the control of weeds in these areas. I had this problem recently and after much frustration with spraying and hand weeding, I sought expert advice. What a pleasure!

In researching this article, I found one instance where a homeowner was so incensed by the weeds in her patio, that she set fire to them with a blowtorch!

Luckily, several items provide better service, as weeding tools and there are several better alternatives for brick patio weed control.

Of course, the best method of brick patio weed control, is proper installation of your brick patio.

Start with an under-lay of pea gravel, topped by a layer of sturdy landscape cloth and cover it with a layer of sand.

This will give your brick patio a firm footing, as well as cramp the style of any weeds in the area.

Nevertheless, if your brick patio is already installed and running rampant with weeds, here are some tips, to help you succeed in keeping it weed free, without a lot of agonizing work.

First, to make your brick patio weed control plan a success, implement your plan, before weeds flower. This keeps weeds from going to seed and helps make a short-term plan, last for a longer time.

For the following tip and other tips, that involve weed dousing of one sort, or another, use a piece of cardboard, or scrap of Plexiglas, to protect nearby plants.

One of the best ways to kill a vegetable of any kind, is to cook it.

Boiling water is a natural and very inexpensive weed-wilter and works to kill most forms of annual weeds. It also kills, or weakens many types of perennial weeds.

A teakettle is your weeding tool. Fill it with water and bring it to a boil. While you’re waiting (because a watched pot never boils, you know!) go outside and cut the culprits down to their crowns.

When the water begins to boil, grab the kettle (using a potholder) and pour the water on the crowns of the weeds, holding the kettle high enough only to avoid splashing. Killing weeds with boiling water will also scald any biological organisms, that get splashed, but more will return, as soon as the soil cools.

Vinegar will kill most weeds. However, grocery store vinegar is normally a 5% solution and is too weak to do the job. Ten-percent vinegar will kill most weeds and usually is found, where canning and pickling supplies are sold.

A 20% solution of vinegar kills really stubborn weeds, but is frequently more than twice as expensive as 10%. Try to control the weeds with the 10% concentrate, before you make the investment in a stronger solution.

Spray the vinegar directly on the weeds, using the shield, mentioned above and taking care not to inhale fumes. You may also want to wear gloves and eye protection, as a further safeguard.

In my experience, these measures will keep all brick patio’s free from weed, without a lot of back breaking work.

We love to share our gardening ideas and hear yours.

This article was originally written by Hans Dekker, who is an enthusiast gardener. He is one of the authors of : http://www.gardening-guides.comand  and
http://www.patio-furniture-ideas.com/

The methods recommended in the above article are all eco-friendly. Vinegar, boiling water and hand weeding are not toxic. If you are one of those who dislike chemicals and prefer natural remedies in your garden and if you love the country living, then get this book “Home And Garden, Country and Rural Life”. It covers garden topics, as well as wildlife, nature and other pastimes. If you are interested in being eco friendly and protecting the environment and if you are sick of the rat race and dream of relaxing in the rural country environment, then you should read this book on the good life. Titled Home And Garden - Country And Rural Life, it will show you how to best enjoy your garden, the birds and bees, how to raise chickens and goats and even how to bake your own bread. Change your lifestyle, by reading this book. Take a look here http://dersalsites.com/hag/  

Sally Robson is married to Derek, an up and coming South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. They have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening. For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally’s website at http://www.dersalsites.com/gardening/  and her blog at http://dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips

To remain informed their internet marketing progress, by newsletter and mail, to get recommended tools and lessons and to start your journey to wealth, sign up here. You will also get some free software. It’s free. Click this link : http://dersalsites.com/newsletter/

For more on internet marketing, South African business, list building, law of attraction and rugby, visit Derek’s blog at: http://dersalsites.com/southafricanbusiness/

Clint has started a website on fitness and bodybuilding and has amassed hundreds of articles on various topics of fitness. Check his site at: http://dersalsites.com/clintstraining/  and his new blogsite at http://dersalsites.com/clintstrainingblog/

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