This is the title of Steve Brett's MHort dissertation and he is looking for head gardener's views to help him evaluate the most popular types of alternative weed control methods used on hard surfaces in heritage gardens and the reasons why they are used.
Brett, who is head gardener at a private estate in Wiltshire and is studying for the RHS MHort said:
"It is an interesting area to study with the pressures of environmental care and biodiversity in the news regularly, coupled with protection of ground water supplies and the negative impact on the sustainability of glyphosate which has turned many users away from it.
"There are no alternative chemicals quite like glyphosate, so us gardeners need to find alternatives, especially in heritage gardens where so many unique and diverse building materials have been used and need preserving, alongside keeping the garden looking tidy and safe to owners, staff and visitors."
Find Brett's questionnaire at: https://forms.gle/ZQ8fXLWhPhbXPL3o9