Ha, weird or not, if it works, it works.
I've actually experimented with cornmeal myself after hearing about it from a neighbor. At first I was skeptical—like, how could something from the pantry help with weeds? But surprisingly, it did seem to cut down on new growth quite a bit. Didn't eliminate everything entirely, but definitely reduced the workload. And thankfully, no salad dressing smell disasters either... I'd say it's worth giving a try if you're looking for a gentler alternative to harsher chemicals.
I've heard about the cornmeal trick before, but I've honestly never been convinced enough to try it myself. Not knocking your experience—if it works for you, great—but I wonder if it's more effective in certain climates or soil types than others. My patio area gets a lot of shade and dampness, and I've found that some of these pantry remedies don't always hold up under those conditions.
Personally, I've had better luck using plain white vinegar diluted with water. It's cheap, safe around pets (big plus for me), and hasn't stained my pavers yet. The smell fades pretty quickly too, so no worries about your patio smelling like pickles all afternoon. Just spray it on a sunny day and watch the weeds shrivel up within hours. It doesn't kill everything permanently, but it sure reduces how often I need to deal with them.
One other thing I've learned from restoring my old place is that preventive maintenance goes a long way. If you're laying down new stones or pavers, consider putting landscape fabric underneath first. I know it's extra work upfront, but trust me, it cuts down dramatically on weeds popping through later. I skipped that step the first time around and regretted it big time—lesson learned.
Anyway, if cornmeal's working for you, stick with it. But if anyone else reading this hasn't had luck with pantry solutions or needs something a bit more aggressive (without harsh chemicals), vinegar might be worth a shot.
I’m with you on the vinegar—it’s been a lifesaver for me too, especially since I’ve got kids running around. One extra step I found helpful was sprinkling baking soda into the cracks after spraying vinegar. It seems to slow down regrowth even more, probably because it changes the soil pH slightly. Not a permanent fix either, but definitely stretches out the time between treatments...and every little bit helps when you're juggling other renovation projects!
I'm right there with you on the vinegar and baking soda combo—it's been a trusty ally in my never-ending battle against patio weeds. I've also found that boiling water can be surprisingly effective, especially for stubborn spots. Though admittedly, it feels a bit medieval pouring hot water into cracks...but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Between kids, pets, and trying to keep our historic home from crumbling around us, every low-effort trick counts.
I've gotta admit, boiling water does feel a bit Game of Thrones-ish, haha. Personally, I've had better luck sprinkling salt into the cracks after the vinegar-baking soda treatment—it seems to keep weeds away longer. Just be careful not to overdo it near plants you actually like...learned that one the hard way. But hey, whatever keeps us from spending weekends hunched over pulling weeds is a win in my book.
