Effectively removing weeds from your pavement

SALT LAKE CITY – Have you ever wondered, “What are those weeds growing through my pavement?” Maybe you already know what they are but are stuck at the next step, removing them.

 

Bindweed, crabgrass, and spurge are just a few of the weeds people often see in their pavement. But that’s not all. Over the last few weeks KSL Greenhouse Host Taun Beddes has also been getting questions about purslane, oxalis, and thistle.

He says there are a few general ways you can get rid of those weeds. One method is by using a flat nose shovel.

“Just run it along the pavement and cut them at their stems. You can do that once a month and do a pretty good job of eliminating them,” Beddes said.

Be mindful that this method is only for temporary removal, meaning they will come back.

Another solution is to use a weed torch. This is one that you have to be careful with so that a fire doesn’t start.

“If you have solid pavement and the weeds are small and green, you can scorch them with a weed torch and do that every three or four weeks,” Beddes said.

Compared to the flat nose shovel, this method delays the weeds from growing back as quickly.

A third option is to spray them out with a weed killer such as Roundup. This will also keep them from coming back for a longer period of time.

Removing weeds with salt? Not the best idea

There are a few other methods out there, but one that’s trending that Beddes does not recommend is pouring salt into the cracks of the pavement.

“It will prevent the weeds, but that salt can wash and it damages pavements, especially during the winter. As that salt absorbs moisture, it can cause catfacing and break the pavement down, especially cement,” he said.

Related:

• How to control the noxious bryonia weed

• How to prevent bur buttercup from taking over your lawn

• Controlling weeds using lawn pre-emergent

KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.