Nothing makes your heart sink quite like the realisation that your driveway has become overrun with pesky weeds. Not only do weeds look untidy, but they can also create a slip hazard. They sneak up on you, and before you know it, you need to take action - you need a good weedkiller.
There are so many weed killers on the market, though, that it can be a bit overwhelming. Which is better, contact weed killers or residual? Are you dealing with annual and perennial weeds? When is the best time to use a weed killer? Could it harm lawns or plants?
We know that this can seem a bit daunting, so we are dedicating this blog to talking you through the most effective weed killer to use on your driveway or patio, giving you nice clear paths to look out at.
What are the different types of weed killer?
There are two main types of weed killer:
Contact weed killers
Contact weed killers are those that only kill weeds that they come into direct contact with. That weed will be killed permanently, but the weed killer won't remain in the soil which means that new weeds might grow in the same place.
Contact weed killers tend to be fast-acting, you will see results in a day or two, and then you just need to remove the dead weed from your hard surfaces - but you may require another dose if the weed isn't dead in a few days.
The main benefit of these weed killers is that they won't taint the soil around driveways and patios, and therefore they won't harm areas of your garden that you want to project. This type is the best weed killer for gravel driveways that are surrounded by plants and grass that you want to keep.
Residual weed killers
Residual weed killers are the opposite. They will seep into the soil and remain there for months, which will not just kill off the weeds, but will also prevent them from growing back in that time. These are great for permeable surfaces overlying soil, like a driveway, which are not connected to a lawn or garden beds.
Obviously you need to be careful when using a weed killer solution like this - if you stray off your paths or driveways onto other areas of your garden, you could end up seriously damaging plants and grass that you want to keep.
This is the best weed killer for block paving or a gravel driveway that is separate to the rest of your garden.
What is the best weed killer?
Unfortunately there is set answer to this question - there isn't one best weed killer for all weed issues. However, there are plenty of different options, so we thought it would be a good idea to run through four great weed killers, each offering something slightly different, and you can pick the one that you think will best solve your problem.
Gallup Weed Killer
This is a residual weed killer which focuses on attacking broad-leaved annual and perennial weeds. This comes as a concentrate, so will need to be diluted before use - this is best done in a spray bottle for accurate application.
This is an extremely powerful weed killer, made with glyphosate, and is designed for professional use. Once it gets into the root system, it will kill weeds very quickly - you'll see results in 10 days or less. It's best used on large areas that are away from grass and plants that you want to protect.
Rosate
Rosate 360 is another powerful glyphosate-based product. This one works by preventing the production of proteins that are required for the weeds to grow, so it is perfect on hard surfaces that have become overrun with weeds.
This is a non-hazardous weed killer, so you will be able to use the soil again to grow something in the future. This means that it might be better to use in areas where you want to grow grass or plants, as the soil will be fine once the glyphosate has been broken down.
Monsanto
Roundup ProVantage 480 is another weed killer that relies on glyphosate as its active ingredient. This is a non-selective weed killer, so it will attack everything; grass and broadleaved weeds. It has been known to kill even the toughest of weeds, like Japanese Knotweed.
It's another professional product, which needs to be diluted in a spray bottle before application.
Amenity
This is an industrial strength weed killer, which can be used for non-selective control of annual and perennial weeds and grasses. While it is a strong weed killer, it will be broken down within a matter of two weeks, so the soil can be used for growth again. It effectively controls weeds, and is biodegradable, making it a good option for the environment.
When is it best to use weed killers?
The key thing to remember when using a weed killer is that you don't want much wind or rain. The wind could pick up the spray and transfer it to other areas that you don't want to contaminate with a herbicide, while the rain could dilute the herbicide and limit its effectiveness.
A nice clear day is ideal, so late spring to early autumn is usually the best time.
Conclusion
Any of the products above could be the solution that you need to rid your driveway or patio of unwanted weeds. Be sure to double check that your chosen weed killers aren't going to cause harm to other areas of your garden - glyphosate, like pelargonic acid or acetic acid, can harm the environment, so should be used with caution.
Have a look through our extensiveselection of weed killers and pick the best one to treat your hard surfaces. Note that some specifically treat moss, if that is a particular problem for you.
