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05 Feb 2024

Best products to control weeds in paving and paths

The Which? Gardening experts reveal the alternatives to path weedkillers, including glyphosate

Ceri ThomasEditor, Which? Gardening

Weeds and moss are adept at colonising the gaps in paved driveways and patios, and they can make these areas look a mess. There are sprays containing glyphosate and other herbicides that will kill them, but what if don’t want to use chemicals?

The Which? Gardening researchers trialled some alternative control methods to see which work best.

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Best ways to control weeds in paving and paths

Product	What we found
	This tool is robust, and the thick back hook and thinner blade in front make it versatile when dealing with different weeds and types of paving. Long-handled versions are easier on your back and knees.
	The simplest tool, and one which most people have in their shed, it's great for removing weeds in paving. Although it can be tricky to get the prongs into small gaps, it's usually sturdily made and can be used to scrape or gouge the weeds. It doesn’t have to be handheld either – use a long-handled version if you find bending and kneeling difficult.
	This takes more effort and a longer time than weeding but wins long term as it stopped most weeds from growing.

Full results for ways to control weeds in paving and paths

Product name	Overall rating	Initial effort on brick paving	Initial effort on paving slabs	Average effort on brick paving (months 2-5)	Average effort on paving slabs (months 2-5)	Average regrowth and germination on brick pavers	Average regrowth and germination on paving slabs	Average weedy appearance on brick pavers	Average weedy appearance on paving slabs
BOSTIK Cementone Wide Jointing Compound 15kg
DARLAC DP360 Telescopic Weed Knife
DRAPER Ash Handle Garden Tool Patio Weeder 300mm
FISKARS Xact Weeding Knife (long-handled)
Hand fork
SIKA FastFix Paving Jointing Compound 15kg
SPEAR & JACKSON Elements Dandelion Weeder

Overall rating Ignores price and is based on: regrowth and germination (pavers and paving combined) 30%, weedy appearance of plots monthly 30%, initial effort (pavers and paving combined) 20%, average effort monthly (pavers and paving combined) 20%.

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How we test ways to control weeds in paving and paths

The trial was carried out in two areas: one laid with brick pavers, the other as crazy paving. The areas were divided into plots measuring 2 x 2m and the tools, treatments and sprays allocated to a specific plot in each area.
We weeded the plots with the tools in late April, then weeded monthly for five months until late September. The jointing compounds were applied in late April and then weeded monthly if necessary. The glyphosate-based spray was first used at the end of April, then repeated monthly if needed up to the maximum number of sprays allowed as a control.
Assessments were made weekly for the first four weeks, then monthly. They covered how much effort was needed to weed with each tool and method, how weedy each plot looked one month after the plot was last weeded, the amount of regrowth of weeds one month after the plot was last weeded, and how many newly germinated seedlings had come up since the plot was last weeded.

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