Cheap ways to keep weeds under control

davidlizard

We have gravel at the front of our house (probably around 400 square yards), and at the end of the garden we have a patch of ground around 20 yards by 10 yards which we plan to do something with one day - in the meantime we simply keep it free of weeds.

Now for the last few years I have drenched the gravel/end of garden in sodium chlorate to keep the weeds under control. This worked fine, and has proven also to be cost effective. However from a visit to B&Q yesterday have found out that our friends at the EU have banned this. They offered me some "Weedol" which would have cost me around £200 to clear an area of the size I need to clear!

Can anyone recommend a cheap and effective way of keeping weeds (non selective herbicides) under control?

Alternatively, is anyone aware of anything I could manufacture myself that would act as a cheap and effective weedkiller using other easily and cheaply obtained ingredients? (e.g. mixing vinegar and washing powder or something equally bizarre!).

helenamy123

hi,

If the patch is not needed why not cover the patch of land with some plastic sheeting - weigh down with bricks and weeds wont be able to grow?

Or you could plant some grass on it - (seeds cheapest) that would help suppress the weeds for a while.

For a cheap weed killer I use boiling water from the kettle - it does kill the weeds but need to keep on top of it cos doesnt prevent new weeds - however it is cheap (if not on meter) and better for the environment than chemicals.

best regards

helen

WestonDave

This ought to do most of it for £20 - http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10277640&ecamp=trf-005&CAWELAID=326891564

The other trick is to work out what the active ingredients are and buy non branded stuff with the same in it.