Weeds Suppressor Mat

[NCMau]

I need inputs of an effective mat or other methods for preventing weeds to come through. I plan to put some rocks on ends of the culvert located at the entrance of my residence. Do not want to use any cement, just stacked rocks high enough to create a visual safety stop. Maybe some of you had a similar situation and like to share it.

 

[Diggin It]

Shingles.

 

[Mendonsy]

Something like this might work.
recycled-rubber-mulch-mat-2x8

 

[Scrambler82]

I need inputs of an effective mat or other methods for preventing weeds to come through. I plan to put some rocks on ends of the culvert located at the entrance of my residence. Do not want to use any cement, just stacked rocks high enough to create a visual safety stop. Maybe some of you had a similar situation and like to share it.

You're reading what a Novice is typing so think on it before doing it !

I look for a heavy duty weed block screen made of plastic !

Any rock stand or spread of stone, even ones that have a weed blocker under them WILL collect dirt and in turn sprout weeds... unless you occasionally spray the pile with a weed killer.

Cementing the rocks will increase the time before you see new weeds, so a small amount of cement to hold the base together isn't a bad thing, more of a deterrent, and it allows you to spray the dirt build up out of the rock without making a mud stream.

I am using a few larger Quartz Rock at the head of my driveway, I am building a semicircular pile of stones as a marker an address marker so to speak, and I plan on spraying around them once a year or as needed to keep the weeds somewhat at bay !

May even add some Solar powered LEDs... somehow !

Shingles.

Interesting idea, gets rid of something that is a PITA to get rid of ! Thx

 

[PILOON]

Another item that will work to hold the base and deter weeds is carpeting.
Most carpeting is of synthetic materials not unsimilar to the geotextiles they sell for that purpose.

Shingles were mentioned OK but don't let the environment folks know, it is like asphalt, OK on the surface but not buried.
They fear that when it breaks down it will enter the water table.
Concrete (crushed) is in the same category, Ok as a surface dressing but never buried.

 

[JLH4]

I use empty chicken and goat feed bags, dog food bags work too.:thumbsup:
I've used them for 3 years and no weeds have come thru., but like Scrambler said dirt will get in there so spray with weed killer.
Joe

 

[suburbanfarmer]

Nothing beats a carpet if you are ok redoing it every 5 yrs.

 

[Code54]

I have heard of people using tar paper - doesn't let water though but will block out weeds

 

[PILOON]

Nothing beats a carpet if you are ok redoing it every 5 yrs.

That would apply with wool based carpeting but current materials are generally all synthetic based like rayon or nylon etc.
Not that I have done that but my neighbor did so 10 years or so ago and no problem.

 

[TnAndy]

The best thing I can say about weed control mats is it makes the weeds that grow on top of it easier to pull because their root system is shallow.

 

[NCMau]

Thanks everyone for excellent inputs. I think shingles and carpet are very doable or maybe even a combination of both. I used roofing paper on occasions but it is not long lasting.
As mentioned… pocket of dirt.. yes, I guess I could live with an occasional weed spray.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Thick rubber mats such as used in the floor of horse trailors are pretty economical and can be cut with a jig saw easily. Might be all you need to use, no gravel or rocks. Found at many feed stores and farm stores, usually in at least a couple different sizes.

 

[tjkubota93]

I put rocks at each end of my culvert. Didnt use anything. I spray round up once a year or so.

Using shingles or something would probably help.

My rocks seemed to sink in and get stuck in the dirt after a year or so and I re-piled them.

 

[Scrambler82]

I was walking in the area and one of the neighbors is using some heavy flexible black plastic matting with ribs as a Weed Blocker.
I asked about the material, he said he got it at a local building supply.
I use local building suppliers, so I looked around, nothing similar on display nor did anyone know of it... funny.
I haven't seen this neighbor since so I can't verify WHAT Local Building Supply Store he was referencing, but I need to visit him because this stuff was HD, thick and it looked like it would do the trick for water run off areas too.

As to using Round-Up... not too sure of it with all the controversy, I use Brush-Be-Gone, by Ortho, good stuff, (not sure if I will be dead from using it) but in New England it was one of the only products that would kill the woody stemmed Poison Ivy. Just to point out I only use it once a year, a lot of wells in the area even though I don't think it will get that deep, but the wife seems to think so and she lets me know every time I even think about using it !

 

[eubie5]

I was walking in the area and one of the neighbors is using some heavy flexible black plastic matting with ribs as a Weed Blocker.
I asked about the material, he said he got it at a local building supply.
I use local building suppliers, so I looked around, nothing similar on display nor did anyone know of it... funny.
I haven't seen this neighbor since so I can't verify WHAT Local Building Supply Store he was referencing, but I need to visit him because this stuff was HD, thick and it looked like it would do the trick for water run off areas too.

As to using Round-Up... not too sure of it with all the controversy, I use Brush-Be-Gone, by Ortho, good stuff, (not sure if I will be dead from using it) but in New England it was one of the only products that would kill the woody stemmed Poison Ivy. Just to point out I only use it once a year, a lot of wells in the area even though I don't think it will get that deep, but the wife seems to think so and she lets me know every time I even think about using it !

If you wear headphones and play music while you're spraying it, you can't hear her yelling at you.

 

[Scrambler82]

If you wear headphones and play music while you're spraying it, you can't hear her yelling at you.

:drink: Great idea !

 

[rocco611]

weeds will grow on top of pretty much any type of weed block once dirt and seeds blow in on top of it. I use weed block around my house covered with 1 1/2" river rock. I can suck up leaves with a shop vac without picking up the rocks. the weeds that come up are easy to remove. I spray once a year with roundup and goal herbicides .

 

[tjkubota93]

weeds will grow on top of pretty much any type of weed block once dirt and seeds blow in on top of it. I use weed block around my house covered with 1 1/2" river rock. I can suck up leaves with a shop vac without picking up the rocks. the weeds that come up are easy to remove. I spray once a year with roundup and goal herbicides .

That's an excellent idea. I have big river rock in my flower beds. It's a pain to blow the leaves out. Never thought of that.