Most of us want weed-free paths, but some are easier to maintain than others. Slabs, set in cement, are easy to brush and may only need an occasional environmentally-friendly treatment to kill algae.
But slabs, bricks and blocks set in sand, or bordered by gravel, as well as gravel and woodchip paths all sprout a goodly crop of weeds after a couple of years.
When tackling weedy paths, gardeners must choose between using chemical or environmentally-friendly methods.
Far too many people forget that paths are as much part of the garden’s ecosystem as cultivated areas, so they need the same care. As I’ve often said, synthetic pesticides seriously damage soil and animal life. And though there is little life in a path, there is life in the soil below and rain washes the chemicals into nearby ground.
Some herbicides in garden centres are more damaging to the environment than others. But manufacturers must list the active ingredients, so you can check the individual chemicals to see whether you want to use the likes of Diflufenican, Flufenacet or Diquat. You’ll certainly find glyphosate on most lists.
Herbicides are tested by the European Chemicals Agency (ECA), on behalf of the European Union. The ECA sets strict environmental standards but if member states don’t agree to ban a particular chemical they can decide whether or not to implement a ban. Here’s hoping Brexit Britain will respect these high standards.
Glyphosate has been under investigation since 2012 and the European Commission has agreed that it can be used until the ECA presents its final review. In the meantime, the commission recommends that states should minimise the use of the herbicide in public parks, playgrounds and gardens. It should also be used as little as possible immediately before harvesting a crop.
Predictably, opinions vary on whether glyphosate is safe to use. But it’s well established that it can damage aquatic life and so shouldn't be used where there’s run-off into streams or ponds. Glyphosate acid and IPA salt of glyphosate also acidifies the soil, and this greatly reduces the worm population. So, given the importance of worms, you may want to steer clear of the chemical.
Co-formulants are added to the active chemicals in a pesticide to improve the chemical’s efficiency. Studies have shown that some co-formulants can be as damaging as the active chemical and that they significantly increase the chemical’s toxicity.
The European Commission recognised this problem by proposing that the co-formulant, POE-tallowamine, should not be used. It’s designed to break down the wax cuticle on leaves, and this, in turn, makes it easier for the glyphosate to enter a plant and destroy the root system.
And, when I read the precautions you need to take when using herbicides, I’d sooner not run the risk. The safest solution is to don a space suit, but, failing that, wear goggles, a face mask to prevent you from inhaling the poison, wear long sleeves, trousers and gloves, and be sure not to touch any plants wet with glyphosate. Frankly, I find "safe" weeding much more appealing, if a bit time-consuming. But what price good health?
Weeding a gravel path can be enough to put you off gardening for life. And using a traditional hoe is nearly as off-putting – pushing a broad blade through gravel is jarring and agonising.
Luckily, some hoes are designed for the job. The pointed blade of Burgon & Ball’s Weed Slice easily cuts through gravel and emerging weeds and is also effective when drawn backwards. Alternatively, the mail order firm, Crocus, supplies the De Wit diamond-shaped hoe.
A flame weeder is another possibility and modern versions are light and easy to use. Although they do damage soil organisms in the upper levels of a path, this doesn’t affect the rest of the garden and it’s an acceptable organic technique.
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