Lemon balm can definitely spread pretty quickly if you're not careful. I planted some last year, and it's already popping up in places I didn't expect... Maybe try keeping it in pots or raised beds to keep it manageable?
Yeah, lemon balm is sneaky like that... I planted some near my patio a couple years back thinking it'd be a nice touch, and now it's basically staging a hostile takeover. Pots definitely help, but honestly, I'm still finding random sprouts popping up between patio stones. At this point, I've just embraced the chaos—at least it smells good when I step on it, right?
Haha, I feel your pain—lemon balm is definitely a double-edged sword. If you're open to a bit of DIY creativity, you could try laying down some landscaping fabric beneath your patio stones to help keep those sneaky sprouts at bay. Another trick I've found useful is sprinkling baking soda in the cracks—it changes the soil pH just enough to discourage growth without harming anything else. But hey, embracing the chaos has its charm too... sometimes the best patios are the ones with a little character.
Totally agree on the baking soda trick—works surprisingly well. A couple other things I've tried:
- Vinegar spray: Quick, cheap, and effective for spot treatment, but careful around delicate plants.
- Polymeric sand: Costs a bit more upfront but seals cracks nicely, reducing weed headaches long-term.
Honestly though, I've kinda given up fighting every little sprout. A patio with some greenery peeking through has its own laid-back vibe... as long as it doesn't turn into a jungle.
Haha, I feel you on the "laid-back vibe"—my patio sometimes looks like it's auditioning for a nature documentary. I've tried the vinegar spray too, and while it does the job, my poor petunias weren't exactly fans of the overspray. Lesson learned: aim carefully or face floral wrath.
One thing I've found surprisingly effective (and budget-friendly!) is boiling water. Seriously, just a kettle full of boiling water poured directly onto those stubborn weeds works wonders. It's oddly satisfying too—like you're serving up some herbal tea revenge. Just be careful not to splash yourself or any plants you actually want to keep around.
Another trick I've stumbled upon is using leftover cardboard or newspaper underneath mulch or gravel. It blocks sunlight, which weeds absolutely hate, and eventually decomposes into the soil. Bonus points for recycling old Amazon boxes that seem to multiply overnight in my garage.
I did try polymeric sand once, but honestly, my DIY skills are questionable at best. Let's just say my patio ended up looking more abstract art than home improvement masterpiece. If you're handy though, it's definitely worth the investment.
At this point, I've accepted a certain level of weed coexistence—think of it as rustic charm rather than neglect. As long as I can still see the patio furniture, I'm calling it a win...
