How to get rid of weeds?

subjecttocontract

We find dishwasher salt, sold in bags in supermarkets a cheap and effective weed killer. It works well on gravel, bark and hard landscaping. Sprinkle over weed, wait for it to rain or for morning dew and the weeds won't like growing in salt water and will die.

Albermarle

FreeBear said:

CliveOfIndia said: If you've got areas of gravel, then you can remove it and lay weed-proof membrane underneath it.  Even then, that's not a 100% effective solution, weeds will still grow in the gravel.

The weed roots will knit in to the fabric of any geotextile - When it comes to renovating the garden, this membrane can not be recycled, so ends up going in to landfill. The manufacture and disposal is not environmentally friendly, and we all need to try and reduce the consumption of plastics.

I found the membrane ( under gravel) to be 100% effective for the first two or three years and then gradually a few weeds pop up. However very easy to remove.

The manufacture and disposal of numerous building and gardening materials is not environmentally friendly. 
Bricks, concrete, roof tiles, patio slabs, insulation material, breezeblock, plaster, flooring etc etc.
Plastics are only part of a wider problem, and in some cases the plastic replacements are even worse.

Craftlady55

blackstar said:

Hi all

Please can I get some advice on how to get rid of weeds in my garden and stop then growing back? Ideally non toxic.

They are mainly in-between slabs.

Also my neighbour has a pine tree and loads of small pines drop into my garden and then start to grow so how do I deal  with them?

Thanks all

Hello, I would suggest pouring boiling water on weeds in between slabs. That's what I use, as I have pets and need to keep my garden safe for them, and it works very well

pdblake

Hot water with salt and vinegar in it is great for weeds in concrete and between pavers. Cleans it all too.

Chemistry777

Yes, another advocate of table salt for weeds in gravel or paving.   Very cheap, sprinkle into the paving cracks, will last far better than any expensive weedkiller

FlorayG

OP does say non-toxic. Salt is toxic, it wouldn't kill things if it wasn't. The only non-toxic cure for weeds is to either dig them out or invest in a flame gun