Garden

[bluebird34]

I have two questions. First has anyone tried these stone cleaners on concrete and if so does it work, and secondly I have had my garden gravelled and although it has liner under the gravel i would like to make sure that weeds do not come through. I believe I can use something in my watering can to cover all the gravel and would like to know the best thing to use. Thank you for reading this.Janet.

[Whoever]

I have used a patio cleaner obtained from B & Q for cleaning the grime of patio paving slabs. They are 30 years old and were previously pressure washed, which unfortunately took off some of the original protective surface which now allows them to get dirty and covered in lichen more quickly. However, if used with plenty of water, lots of elbow grease and a stiff bristle brush they can make a considerable improvement in appearance.

As for killing weeds under your gravel, you can buy Verdone or some other liquid weed killer from a garden centre. Dilute as per instructions (usually one lid full of liquid to one gallon of water) and pour over the gravel using a rosette spray on your watering can. Preferably do this just after rain so that the liquid sinks in better into the gravel. If you spray it on when the sun is shining it may evaporate too quickly before it's had a chance to do its job.

[heathfield]

Simple and cheap, a strong solution of washing soda crystals will clean up stone and concrete.

A fabric liner will stop most weeds, but not grass - the pointy shoots of grass will penetrate the fabric. Verdone is a lawn weed killer - it's specifically developed not to kill grass!. 'Pathclear' is the commonest all-weed killer, and and application should last about 3 months, (rather than the 6 months they claim). But I'd do a search on Google for a 'residual weedkiller' - there are plenty of them available.

[bluebird34]

Thank you both for your answers. I always have soda crystals in the house so I will certainly try that. Thanks again. Janet

[sawdoctor]

I've found Pathclear very good on gravel.

[Old_Geezer]

In my experience no chemical weedkiller lasts as long as I'd hope for. Needs to be applied a number of times during the warmer months, when one would hope that a single application would have lasted the year at least.