A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.
Sign In or Register to join the conversation
We have a set of shallow steps down to the house from the private road next to which we live. They are pretty much old pieces of granite in different degrees of dressing. Some rough, some polished. There are a couple of flagstones too. Given how wet our place is they get wet. The flagstones grow some form of lichen/green stuff which is immensely slippy when it's wet, which it pretty much is all winter. We also have a wee bit of laid concrete, and I've just had the sideways on bricks lifted and replaces with cobbles, because NOTHING I could do made them safe.
I'm trying to grow ground hugging plants between the flags. So far it's mostly chamomile and thyme, but I have many more ideas for next year.
Does anyone know how I can keep the stones clean? Or what I should clean them with. I was using Dettoly water this afternoon, but I kept having to rescue worms, and I'm a bit worried about the plants.
When thou seest an eagle, thou seest a portion of genius; lift up thy head!
Hi Aberdeenshire Quine.For cleaning decorative stones I think the best approach is to remove any thick moss or lichen with a hoe. Then clean with a hard bristled brush but keep in mind the amount of pressure you use as you don't want to scratch the stones too much. Finally give the stones a brush with a soft bristled brush. This should give your stones a nice finish and make them much safer to walk on.Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Hi, a pressure washer is another option. That is what we use on our paving flagstones and it really does clean them - and without using chemicals. It doesn't need doing often - maybe twice a year at the most, and there is a visible difference without back-breaking effort.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
We also use a pressure washer on our stones, and it does work. My other hobby is genealogy, which involves painstaking transcriptions of grave stones. These are notorious for being covered with nasty things, open to the elements and neglected under bushes, nettles and so on. We use a stiff brush on these, and on areas where there is no inscription we use a wire brush. It doesn't seem to spoil the stone, some of which is unpolished granite, some limestone or similar. I wouldn't use anything harsh on polished granite though.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi, in answer to your problem. I have recently aquired a product called Moss Away it is made by Everbuild who make mastics and the like. This works for me. It states on the plastic can that it is non harmful to pets and animals and it biologically breaks down on contact with the soil.
I have used it with great sucess and there is no need for scrubbing, it removes moss and all types of green algae & lichens.
Hope this is of use.
Thanks. Will my worms live?
That I cannot say for sure. The indications on the bottle seem to indicate that they will, but they are sensitive little souls with their mucous membranes, even the mildest of things irritate them. I did not have any worms coming to the surface when I treated. I wound recommend painting or spraying on to the area to avoid run off though.
Just looked on the internet the cheapest place is Amazon £12.55 for a 5lt can of concentrate. It will last you years!!
Unknown said: Thanks. Will my worms live?
Yes avoid Tar Oil based products like Jeyes, Armillotox and Mortegg which is winter wash for fruit trees, it removes algae, lichen and overwintering bugs, eggs, and creepy crawlies both good and bad it is no discriminatory.
Julie?