Remove Weeds Growing In Cracks With A Home Improvement Essential You Likely Already Own
Weeds are unavoidable. Characterized as any kind of plant growing where they aren't wanted, weed seeds spread by riding the wind, being deposited by birds, getting tracked in on your shoes, or being mixed into compost and potting mix. They can even creep in from adjacent lawns. Weeds tend to be hardy plants that reproduce widely and quickly. In fact, do not be surprised to see weeds cropping up year after year in any reachable crack once established, which can be a long-term problem given they often outcompete other plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight while harboring additional pests. Luckily, you probably have the perfect tool to tackle pesky weeds leftover from your latest home DIY project: a paint scraper.
While you can tackle weed control using herbicides, chemical warfare is not ideal. Drifting pesticide applications might damage the valued plants in your garden, and they can have a substantive impact on human health as well, making this a less-than ideal solution even just sprayed on those weeds growing between cracks on your driveway's asphalt. Pulling weeds by hand isn't quite the solution it's cracked up to be, as you may just be pulling out stems and leaving roots to regrow later. Using tools such as a paint scraper will let you get down deeper into the soil, even if you are trying to tackle weeds that are stuck in awkward crevices.
How to use a paint scraper, or other flat tools, to take on rampant weeds
While a paint scraper is just as effective at digging up weeds as it is stripping paint from wood, it is not the one-and-only tool you could use for the job. Any tool with a similarly long, flat edge will have the same kind of impact. For example, old screwdrivers (especially flatheads) can help you dig up roots. Gardening knives or hoes can also be effective, as are weed-whacking trimmers and edgers with flexible enough blades to fit between gaps. The important thing is that you are able to get in deep and rip apart the roots of any weeds you find, as you will not be able to just dig them out if a weed is growing out of the cracks in your driveway or beneath the foundation of your house.
Of course, it is worth noting that essential tools like paint scrapers are not a perfect solution. It is difficult to get rid of weeds even if you can completely dig out their roots. They are effective at invading even the most secure gardens — raised beds, patio containers, and more. Many weeds can withstand multiple rounds of cutting or mowing, and those that don't might have spread their seeds to a wider coverage area. But going at the weeds growing in cracks with a paint scraper may help weaken them, helping you control any outrageous growth and keep the space looking tidy.
Additional ways to take control of your home's weed problem
Digging into the weeds that are growing between cracks with something like a paint scraper is just one way to manage them (without resorting to herbicides). Pouring boiling water into the crack is especially effective against younger weeds, so long as you are careful not to splash any on yourself or any other important infrastructure nearby. Flame weeding with devices like propane torches have a similar effect. Weeds growing within the bounds of your garden can also be tackled by tilling the soil, planting a cover crop to crowd out the space, or applying a layer of mulch that prevents germination, but these methods will obviously be less effective at dealing with the weeds between cracks.
Ultimately, the best case scenario for not having to tackle your property with a paint scraper every few weeks is just to seal any cracks that weeds are growing out of. Filling cracks in asphalt or concrete with an elastic material is cost effective, and it can help extend the life of the surface. However, weeds could grow through and displace microscopic cracks in concrete naturally, so sometimes breaking out the paint scraper is going to be unavoidable. It is worth considering that some weeds are worth keeping around for the ways they can help repair damaged soil, but rooting out those pesky weeds trying to grow out of cracks might take creative solutions.