wmartin@brl-tgr.UUCP (05/24/84)
I am soliciting suggestions as to methods to eliminate weed growth between the blocks making up my patio. I do not wish to use strong chemical agents, as our dog spends a lot of time on this patio. We used to use salt, but I don't know if that was a good idea. There was a sweet gum tree in the middle of the patio, and it died and we had to have it cut down. I doubt that the small amount of salt we used was enough to have damaged that tree, but it is a possibility. Ideally, I would love to have a good growth of moss along the block interstices but I fear that evolution has equipped the weeds to displace any moss that happens to grow there. Also, with the loss of the tree, there is probably far too much direct sunlight to allow the viability of moss there now. I believe that most of the weeds are dandelions, plantains, and chickweed. Permanent eradication is desired, but not expected. If some plant that grew no more than an inch high and didn't spread laterally over the blocks could displace the weeds, this would be fine. Suggestions are solicited. Will Martin ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1 USENET/uucp: seismo!brl!wmartin
wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (05/24/84)
Slight correction to my address: I was told that my correct uucp address is "seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin". Will
piety@hplabs.UUCP (Bob Piety) (05/25/84)
Roundup-tm or Kleenup-tm will kill the weeds through systemic action but are rendered inactive upon contact with the soil. Thus, the area can be replanted a few days after the weeds are sprayed. The label says that pets should be kept away from the area sprayed for an hour or so until the spray dries. The spray, by the way, is water soluable. As far as moss is concerned, I believe that Arenaria (Irish moss) will do well in full sunlight. Sunset's Western Garden Book is a wealth of information on such things as other books, I'm sure, are. Bob