Weedkiller

[Jane]

The other half is venturing over in a couple of weeks and shall be pouring weed killer down on those sticky weeds we have all over the front area of the house. Anybody know the best one to buy over there and who stocks it please? I know we can get it from the garden centres or supermarlets, but just wondered if anyone had any recommendations. Best for him to put it down when the dog isn't around you see and then we can rake up the dead stuff in April. That's the plan anyway, but we all know about the best laid plans of mice and men...

[Fred]

I don't use it myself, but then I live here so can keep on top of it. (And before you ask. No I'm not coming around to do yours)  

I remember Admiral talking about the stuff they use here, it's used by all the French and turns everything brown. Seems to last a long while too. If you hunt out Admirals posts you may find it, or give him a shout as he could do with waking up as Spring is on the way.

I'll put this in the next newsletter you never know someone may give a better answer.  

[Brian]

Regular hoeing seems to deal with goose grass but I appreciate this won't work for you.

Most of the brico places sell an own-brand glyphosate weedkiller which would sort it out. There is talk of it being banned in France in the not too distant future so get it while you can.

Some communes (including ours) strongly discourage or ban synthetic weedkillers. If that's the case where you are try asking your neighbours or at the mairie for recommendations.
Good luck - it's nasty stuff.

[Brian]

Regular hoeing (or, indeed, grazing by geese) seems to deal with goose grass but I appreciate this won't work for you.

Most of the brico places sell an own-brand glyphosate weedkiller which would sort it out.  There is talk of it being banned in France in the not too distant future so get it while you can.

Some communes (including ours) strongly discourage or ban synthetic weedkillers. If that's the case where you are try asking your neighbours or at the mairie for recommendations.
Good luck - that goose grass is nasty stuff.

[Jane]

Thanks Fred and Brian. Not too struck about using it myself if I'm honest, but not being there is the problem. I'm hoping we may only need to do this the once as it's mainly over a path area out front. It really is playing havoc with my conscience this. I don't really agree with putting weed killers down either. 
Is a commune a name for a village with neighbours Brian? Or is it an actual commune?  Fred I wouldn't dream of dragging you away from your cheese and wine   

[Cari]

Hi Jane

Have you thought about laying thick wet cardboard down over the path areas and weight it down with rocks....by the time you get out in April the weeds will all be dead from lack of light ...plastic or old carpets also work.
Cari x

[Jane]

Now that's a good idea Cari, but with the list of jobs he has to do, in two days, I doubt he's going to have time to cover the whole area. Thanks for the tip though.