While weeds and grass can’t grow under pavers, it’s practically impossible to keep them from springing up in cracks, crevices, joints and spaces between them. If the areas are shaded and stay moist, moss often develops there, also. Unlike weeds and grass, these tiny plants spread across paved surfaces as well as in between. Though some gardeners enjoy the informal rustic look moss can impart others prefer to eliminate it along with paver weeds and grass. You can easily make short work of those landscaping inconveniences with homemade solutions.
Eliminating Paver Grass
Treat cracks and crevices in spaces between pavers using a pre-emergent herbicide to reduce weed seeds from germinating. You have to do this before the plants begin sprouting, therefore treat in early spring immediately after the last predicted freeze to your region. Some gardeners prefer spring pre-emergent therapies to coping with paver bud later in this season.
Hand-pull existing weeds and grass in between pavers. Use a trowel to dig up as many roots as possible to reduce regrowth.
Pour boiling water to side paver weeds and grass. Frying discharges plant cells, so they will die within several days.
Add 1 cup of vinegar to 1 cup of water. Stir in 1/4 cup of liquid dishwashing soap. Continue stirring to mix thoroughly. Pour the solution into a plastic spray bottle for a highly successful contact grass and grass killer.
Apply the herbicide on a bright, sunny day once the temperature is at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the herbicide generously on side plants in and between pavers. Douse all plant surfaces. Reapply in two days if bigger weeds don’t show indications of substantial distress. Grass and weeds will die over several days. This substance has no residual action, so you must repeat as necessary on brand new crust as it arrives.
Eliminating Paver Moss
Eliminate current moss from paver surfaces. Scrape it off with a putty knife or stiff wire brush. Moss does not have roots, therefore it will appear easily.
Blast moss off the pavers with a pressure washer. Direct the water at a 45-degree wax and angle across the surfaces to easily dislodge moss.
Scrub moss from pavers using a stiff brush and a bleach solution. Use 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Rinse thoroughly. Rinse the bleach solution from any desired plants within 10 minutes of application to reduce damage to them. Bleach treatment can prevent reappearance of moss on pavers for as much as a year as long as the region isn’t damp and shady.
Treat pavers chemically using products containing potassium salts, zinc sulfate, zinc chloride or zinc-copper sulfate. These materials are highly effective but often produce unpleasant side-effects. Some may stain paver surfaces and destroy desirable plants.
Prune back trees, shrubs, hedges and ornamentals that shade your eyelids. Relocate any items that prevent sunlight if possible. Moss requires shade and humidity to thrive. Allow as much sunlight exposure as possible to reach striking areas. This leads to depriving moss of necessary dirt. The plants die eventually from mineral and moisture deprivation.