Hello, I plan on assisting my girlfriend's dad by removing all these rocks and placing something underneath to keep weeds from coming through as the currently tarp is failing. We will then place the rocks back. Any ideas on the best material to use and mbest way to go about this? Located in Rhode Island.
by Moistened_Bink
27 Comments
Propane torch. Beware of the plastic fumes from the useless weed barriers. Next time skip the plastic and add more rock.
I have the same problem in my rock mulch. Using chemicals is not something I like to use often.
The best way I found it to pull a few weeds out everyday with your hands. Before you know it, they will be gone because you will be in the habit of seeing new ones and then you will want to pull them out.
Unless you’re having issues with the fabric deteriorating, replacing it won’t make much of a difference. The weeds will sprout above the fabric and the roots will grow in the inevitable layer of organic matter that falls into the rocks. Rock beds require manual pulling, spraying, or torching to stay weed-free.
You can never keep weeds out. They’re not usually coming from below, they blow in from above. Fabric is fine to keep rocks from sinking, but you need way more depth than that.it should be dug down at least 6 inches, fill up half way with aggregate, tamp until really firm, then add another 3 inches or so of gravel. As for the weeds in the future, you just have to pluck them out or spray the paths.
In addition to what others are suggesting you need to add desirable plants to this area to make less space for these weeds to get started in the first place.
Weed it then sprinkle Preen every 3 months to maintain.
Spray, pull or torch. Because it is a hot dry area of rock the vinegar will work better than it does in other situations if you ar avoiding harsher chemicals
Any time you have organic matter on the concrete it’s just going to end up in the rock, which means more weeds. If you don’t want to deal with weeding I would just remove the rock and just extend the grass. Easier said then done either way
Honestly, that doesn’t look like too much so cracking a brew and hand pulling or using a hoe would only take maybe an hour a week.
Could also use a torch lol
Fire. Fire.
To prevent this from starting, regularly blow the rock bed out with a leaf blower, it will blow out the stuff that collects in the bottom that the weeds grow in.
Have you tried a sign that says “Weed Free Zone”?
If you have kids tell them to start picking weeds, if not maybe hire someone else’s kid. I’ve found just plucking a handful every day or whenever you find yourself in the area eventually you’ll get them all. But seems like chemicals are the best and easiest way. Once you get them all use a pre emergent spray to never have to deal with weeds.
I see my town spraying pre emergent every year all over the place , idk how safe it is but I got some at my local weed and garden shop and I never have to worry about weeds again.
I’ve used cardboard in the past, and then place the rocks over it. The cardboard will deteriorate over time so you will have to do it again. Weeds will continue to blow in from the top and you’ll have to pick them off by hand as they appear, but it will be much easier to remove them.
That’s nature trying to fix your desolate and lifeless path.
One of the best ways to fight weeds, which are just plants that you don’t desire, is to plant lifeless spaces with plants that you do desire.
Nature doesn’t like empty space. Pioneer species are always going to try to populate an unpopulated area. If you don’t like the species that are there, saturate the area with another kind of plant. Ground cover, trees, or bushes will help regulate temperature and water. They’ll also dampen noise, keep the wind down, clean the air of dust and debris, improve the appearance of the area, and generally improve human and animal wellbeing. Plastic and rocks would work indoors, but outside is always going to be outside.
It’s like judo- it’s easier to work with the force of nature instead of against it.
More mulch and diligent weeding. Btw, weeds fill in plantless gaps; maybe fill the area with plants you want instead.
I bought a flame thrower on Amazon. Hooks up to a propane tank. Perfect for weeds in rocks. And so much fun.
I’m a 66 year old woman. If I can use it, anyone can.
Mix 1/3 white vinegar ,1/3 salt , 1/3 water shake very hard until salt almost dissolves then add few squeeze of dishwasher detergent but don’t shake anymore. Spray on sunny and hot day. They will be dry by the nighttime. Repeat monthly
My brother uses roof shingles. I’d suggest vinegar spray.
Baking soda.
Dust that powder over your rocks. Nothings growing in there for 6 months.
Get a weed burner. They are awesome.
It’s just like with any gravel path or driveway, etc. There is maintenance involved. Weeds need to be dealt with on a regular basis and there is no permanent solution because they blow in from above. The gravel itself will need to be topped off every so often. If you want no maintenance go with concrete.
Mix a solution of salt /vinegar and water. Spray on the weeds and it will kill them. No Roundup please!
I have a better idea, I do this twice a year. Buy a $10 sprayer, a thing of salt, some dawn dish washing liquid, and some vinegar. Put half the dawn and salt in the sprayer and fill the rest with vinegar. Close the sprayer and shake then spray on the weeds best on a hot summer day, you will see the weeds stating to die with in hours.
I just throw rock salt and call it a day. It kills everything.
leave it as is and get a propane weed torch