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.
Try it this way:
Buy a spray bottle with a capacity of 500ml (17 fl oz) that has a spray head allowing both a spray mist and a fine, straight jet.
Purchase technical-grade formic acid, preferably highly concentrated, and dilute it with water to a 10% concentration.
This solution is biodegradable within a short time and eliminates unwanted weeds (whatever they are called) within 3-4 days.
Regards, KlaRa
Buy a spray bottle with a capacity of 500ml (17 fl oz) that has a spray head allowing both a spray mist and a fine, straight jet.
Purchase technical-grade formic acid, preferably highly concentrated, and dilute it with water to a 10% concentration.
This solution is biodegradable within a short time and eliminates unwanted weeds (whatever they are called) within 3-4 days.
Regards, KlaRa
Fill a kettle with boiling water and pour it over. It seems to work; the stems immediately collapse to the ground, and a week later the plant is completely brown and therefore dead.
I saw this in a show once. Someone from the city was using a hot water device to remove weeds from paving.
I saw this in a show once. Someone from the city was using a hot water device to remove weeds from paving.
My photo was too large again...
The hot water idea sounds good. But I wonder if that will completely get rid of the roots?
This is honestly getting really annoying. I think if we didn’t tend to the balcony’s weeds for just two weeks, it would turn into a jungle.
I’m a bit concerned about using chemicals on the tiles. I have no idea what they exactly are; they’re probably not expensive stone, but if they turn white or get discolored afterwards, moving out will be interesting...
The hot water idea sounds good. But I wonder if that will completely get rid of the roots?
This is honestly getting really annoying. I think if we didn’t tend to the balcony’s weeds for just two weeks, it would turn into a jungle.
I’m a bit concerned about using chemicals on the tiles. I have no idea what they exactly are; they’re probably not expensive stone, but if they turn white or get discolored afterwards, moving out will be interesting...
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