Summer may be winding down, but unfortunately, the weeds didn’t get the memo. They’re still making their way into your garden beds, popping up between your pavers, and generally doing their best to take over.
So how do you get rid of those pesky plants without spending hours on your hands and knees pulling weeds one by one? Here are 4 quick and easy ways to stay on top of weeds in your garden paths and hardscapes—including one that’s surprisingly satisfying.
- Burn ‘Em. I have the perfect tool for this: a professional-grade weed burner. These things are game changers. Instead of just cutting weeds down, they blast them with up to 3,200°F of heat, destroying them at the root and helping prevent regrowth for months. No chemicals, no bending over, and no more sacrificing your weekends to endless weeding.
As a bonus, they’re ridiculously fun to use. I’ve had mine for about five years, and it scratches that “playing with fire” itch in a safe, controlled way that usually only comes around on the Fourth of July. - Embrace it. If weeds are naturally going to grow between your pavers anyway, why not fill those spaces with something you actually want? In shady, moist areas, I often recommend planting moss or Corsican mint between pavers. For sunnier, drier spots, sweet alyssum, creeping thyme, or blue star creeper are all excellent choices. Instead of constantly fighting nature, you end up with a living pathway that looks beautiful—and, most importantly, intentional.
- Pressure wash the weeds away. A pressure washer is a fast, satisfying way to blast stubborn weeds out from between your pavers—no bending over or hand-pulling required.
For the best results, apply a weed killer about a week beforehand to kill the weeds and loosen their roots, making them much easier to wash away. Once the joints are clean and dry, finish the job by filling the gaps with polymeric sand or grout to help keep new weeds from taking hold. - Fill the gaps with polymeric sand or grout. After thoroughly cleaning and drying the joints between your pavers, sweep in polymeric sand. It contains binding agents that activate with a light mist of water, creating a firm, mortar-like seal that helps prevent weed seeds from taking root. Another option is grout. While it can crack over time and may need to be reapplied every few years, it does an excellent job of keeping weeds from growing between your pavers.
Now that you’re armed with these simple, effective weed-fighting tips, it’s time to get out there and show those weeds who’s boss. Go forth and blast those weeds away!
