Monty Don's 'best way' to banish algae from patios without scrubbing

Monty Don has shared some essential November gardening tips, one of which highlights the importance of maintaining your patio and paving.

Often overlooked in favour of other garden tasks, keeping your patio slabs and pathways clean is crucial to prevent the build-up of green algae and moss on patios, stone floors, walls, and fencing.

The late autumn to winter period is particularly prone to such growths, though they can appear anytime there's moisture or in shaded, humid spots. Algae prefer uneven and soft surfaces over smooth, hard ones.

Monty points out that the main reason for removing algae from pathways is safety, as it can be "dangerous" during these months, according to his recent blog. "At this time of year brick and stone paths can be very slippery and dangerous," he wrote.

He attributes this to algae that proliferates on surfaces, especially when wet and shaded, leading to potentially hazardous conditions that could last for months.

To reduce slipping hazards, Monty suggests using a pressure hose, which you can rent by the day, to blast away the algae, calling it "the best way". However, he cautions that while a pressure washer is effective at clearing algae, it may also loosen grout, reports the Express.

Grout is essential for the protection and longevity of patio slabs. It's important to be careful when using a pressure washer to avoid damaging the grout, though accidental contact isn't likely to cause major problems.

After removing algae, Monty suggests using sand to repair and refill the grout, which helps block gaps between the paving and prevent regrowth. He advised: "When this is done brush in sharp sand. If the path is brick or stone the porous surface will absorb some of the sand."

Monty also mentioned a faster, albeit still somewhat time-consuming, alternative. He said: "A quicker - but still quite laborious - alternative is simply to work sand in with a stiff brush without the washing."

He highlighted that this technique is a "very effective way" to clean a patio and maintain the safety of a path "without resorting to chemicals" or extensive scrubbing.