Paving paths - joints permeable to water / weed-free

Thank you! In PflSchG § 12 it states that plant protection products a) must be approved, b) may not be applied on paved open land areas* and then further, that in home and small gardens only products approved for non-professional users are allowed.

There are various total herbicides available on the market that are approved for home use. Does anyone know if glyphosate no longer has a general approval? The commercial herbicides I can currently find online are without glyphosate.

* The law allows exceptions.

I once read about the fixed or bonded construction method: mortar bed, paving, and then grouting with mortar.

Weeds and ants probably won’t be able to get through there.

Disadvantages: more expensive, more difficult, cannot be done at any time of year, and over time the joints are said to give way.

I want to lay weed membrane under the paved areas. But I am always "discouraged" because "it doesn't help". However, I want to at least try to do something against the weeds. Is the membrane under the paving stone useful or not? (We have concrete paving with joints, filled with fine gravel for drainage).

I am always "discouraged" because it "doesn't work".

Yeah, it doesn't work because 99% of the weeds come "from above".

To be more precise, you have 20-30cm of gravel under the paving, then grit, and only then the paving itself. Even the most stubborn weeds find it very difficult to push through so much compacted gravel just to reach the light. Unlike the 5cm of bark mulch that some put in their beds.

Perhaps one can also "make friends" with the weeds. Then it becomes a half-overgrown area. Like in enchanted knight castles in movies. :)

I have the weed problem on my terrace too. And I have decided to leave it as it is. Mow briefly now and then, pull out the really big plants. Done. I and the environment and the little animals are very satisfied. I have the most beautiful terrace in our new development area. Everyone else has polished concrete slabs. I have a green terrace where chamomile and other beautiful things bloom. If you dare, you can also throw some flower seeds on it as you wish. I sowed chamomile and poppy and had beautiful poppies on the edges of the terrace for many weeks.