We are currently still living in our rental apartment, and since we planted the balcony for the first time, we have been having trouble with weeds. They grow out of the joints between the tiles.
It seems to us that the individual tiles were not laid very carefully, and the gaps between the tiles, especially along the outer edges and near the railing, are quite large.
Today, when I was setting up the umbrella and moving two larger plant pots apart, I was almost shocked. There’s what looks like half a wild meadow growing there! These strange weed creatures, see photo, have extremely thick stems and roots.
And quite unpleasant: many small gray creatures live there, strange woodlice that quickly ran back into the joints.
My quick attempt with my joint cleaner was unsuccessful; I can’t reach the roots at all.
In general, it’s a futile effort: I pull weeds about twice a week, but dandelions and chives (yes, really!) keep growing between the joints. Especially the chives, I can’t get rid of them with the joint cleaner.
Last year I already went to a garden center looking for a weed killer, but somehow they didn’t want to sell me anything suitable. It might be tricky on a balcony with children around, etc. I think I will go to a proper hardware store early tomorrow to get some kind of chemical treatment. Do you have any tips? Also happy to hear about special tools or materials that can be applied into the joints.
It seems to us that the individual tiles were not laid very carefully, and the gaps between the tiles, especially along the outer edges and near the railing, are quite large.
Today, when I was setting up the umbrella and moving two larger plant pots apart, I was almost shocked. There’s what looks like half a wild meadow growing there! These strange weed creatures, see photo, have extremely thick stems and roots.
And quite unpleasant: many small gray creatures live there, strange woodlice that quickly ran back into the joints.
My quick attempt with my joint cleaner was unsuccessful; I can’t reach the roots at all.
In general, it’s a futile effort: I pull weeds about twice a week, but dandelions and chives (yes, really!) keep growing between the joints. Especially the chives, I can’t get rid of them with the joint cleaner.
Last year I already went to a garden center looking for a weed killer, but somehow they didn’t want to sell me anything suitable. It might be tricky on a balcony with children around, etc. I think I will go to a proper hardware store early tomorrow to get some kind of chemical treatment. Do you have any tips? Also happy to hear about special tools or materials that can be applied into the joints.
The water has just been prepared
It’s a balcony, and there will be some kind of membrane or foil underneath the stones, right? Do you think I can safely use boiling hot water without causing any damage?
I don’t want to harm the ugly woodlice there... but using chemicals won’t be any kinder than hot water, right?
It’s a balcony, and there will be some kind of membrane or foil underneath the stones, right? Do you think I can safely use boiling hot water without causing any damage?
I don’t want to harm the ugly woodlice there... but using chemicals won’t be any kinder than hot water, right?
Mizit schrieb:
some kind of membrane Now it’s really time for a photo!
markus27032 Jun 2017 11:43Buy glyphosate on Ebay (pure, not a mixed product!). Dilute with water and spray over the plants, wait one week, and you're done. It reliably eliminates all plants and kills the roots as well—nothing will grow back.
And yes, I know it’s not the best for the environment—but it works. And it’s permanent.
And yes, I know it’s not the best for the environment—but it works. And it’s permanent.
So, I poured several buckets of boiling hot water over the stuff. This weed is now brown, partly somewhat shriveled, but I still can’t get it out completely, including the roots. I think we’ll probably have to lift the slabs a bit and scrape everything out somehow, then pour some kind of chemical in. This is really annoying.