paved area overwhelmed with weeds

8 years ago

Over 7 years ago we used pavers to create our driveway, walkway and court yard. In all about 3,000 sq. feet and it was all built correctly with weeding barriers, etc. We were happy for about 3 years, but then the weeds started to show up. Any numbers of pundits have insisted that the issue is wind, rain and birds. We certainly will not tear up the work and redo, so I’m looking for solutions that will eliminate the hours I have spent attempting to dig and scrap the weeds away; roots and all. One year after clearing away the weeds I painstakingly poured white vinegar into the seams created by the paver pattern. Little or no success! There has to be a reasonable answer. Here in California we are delighted to see rain most seasons, yet I truly dread it. Please help with fresh ideas.

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Try using a weed torch to kill off the weeds. You will still need to remove their corpses however and I would wait a couple of weeks to see if any new ones pop up from roots or residual seeds, then torch again. And once that is done and the remains cleared away, apply a fresh layer of polymeric sand according to instructions. It will hold the pavers tightly in place, does not wash way like regular sand does and once wetted, forms a bond that is resistant to weed penetration from both above and below the pavers. Also discourages ants, etc.
homeagain_walsh thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
functionthenlook
8 years ago
Use round up.
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homeagain_walsh
Original Author
8 years ago
Hmm! Thx for the suggestion, but I really stay away from Round Up.

I have no knowledge or experience with a weed torch, but I'm game to try.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
8 years ago
Wherever there are cracks between pavers, seeds can become stuck there and germinate. Boiling water will kill whatever is growing. Salt would also deter almost anything from being able to grow, but whenever it rains, as the water flows from the paved area to non-paved area, the ground in the non-paved area will become salted.

Keeping the cracks filled with sand can help reduce the number of seeds that become lodged in the cracks. Whenever you see erosion of the sand in the cracks, sweep sand repeatedly in all directions over the cracks until they are full again.

Whenever you mow, aim the chute away from paved area to prevent seeds from being deposited in paved area.
kimmq
8 years ago
Anyplace where dust and organic material can accumulate, such as a space between paving blocks, plants can and will grow. As you saw it took about 3 years for enough soil to accumulate in those spaces to support plant growth. Many sources do recommend using sand in those spaces but that is more for stability than to prevent unwanted plant growth.

The most, and longest lasting, method of keeping unwanted plant growth is to clean those spaces of the accumulated growing medium, either by lifting the blocks or using a pressure washer to wash that material out. Weed killers will kill off the current growth but that will also provide more organic material that will support future growth.