Many gardeners are familiar with the problem: as soon as a nice gravel path has been laid, weeds start to settle. However, you don't have to use chemicals to keep the paths free of weeds. There are some environmentally friendly measures that can also be used to keep gravelled areas permanently free of weeds.
How do I remove weeds from gravel surfaces without poison?
– or heat it with flame burners.
Which methods are suitable?
You can do a lot in advance to prevent the gravel path from becoming so weedy. Before placing the stones, compact the soil with a vibrating plate and limit the path with a border. You can germinate weeds:
- weeding mechanically,
- rake off,
- destroy with hot water,
- flaming.
The classic: weeding
In principle, a gravel path is easy to maintain due to the loose stone base. Weeds can be pulled out together with the roots using a hand hoe. However, you have to regularly clear the path of newly germinating plants, which can be very tedious, especially on long paths.
Raken areas
Raking prevents weed seeds from sprouting. Rake the path thoroughly and thoroughly remove any weed residue that comes up. By raking, the gravel is loosened up at the same time and the path is visually smoothed.
Destroy weeds with hot water
Boiling water is regularly produced in the kitchen, for example when cooking potatoes or pasta. However, it's too bad to just end up in the drain, because the hot liquid is a good friend in the fight against weeds.
Pour the cooking water directly onto the weed plants. This causes them to shrink and can be easily removed.
Destruction with the flame device
Gas or electrically operated flame burners (€67.00 on Amazon) are not only suitable for paved surfaces. They can also be used to easily keep gravel paths free of weeds. It is enough to heat the weeds with the device for a short time. As a result, the plants die and can then simply be raked off.
Limit gravel areas
A border made of lowered stones or concrete slabs will prevent lawn from growing into the gravel path. This saves you a lot of work when it comes to care.
Tip
For the sake of the environment, avoid using herbicides, as these not only damage weeds, but also other plants, insects such as bees and bumblebees, and the microorganisms living in the soil.
