Gravel cleanup (driveway/parking areas)

[Cherokee140]

Not really sure how to ask this, in front of my shop, my barn, and the driveway we get grass/weeds that grow up in there. I have tried everything I can think of from Roundup to burning, and it always always comes back.

This is one thing that just drives me bonkers...pet peeve of mine, I love the look of nice new gravel but it takes no time for the weeds to start coming up in there.

Not sure if this is a tractor issue or not or if the tractor can help me out with these issues....been this way for the 16 years we have lived in the country. I was toying with the idea of scooping up the entire areas in front of one of the barns then putting it back down again just to tear out the weeds.

Any help would be great.

thanks.

 

[cmyoung2]

I see two options, neither will be permanent. With weeds, nothing ever is. 1. Try a different chemical. Roundup is probably not the best choice here. Pramitol (sp) is a soil sterilizer, may be a longer term solution. Be careful, leaching or runoff can kill more than you want. 2. If you tear up the existing gravel, put a ground cloth down before you replace the gravel. If you just reuse the old gravel, all the seeds will still be there and you will be right back where you are now. Weeds and grass can grow just fine in gravel, primarily sprouting from seed that come from everywhere.

 

[oldballs]

As in the above comment, try a different chemical. Tractor Supply sells a Gordon's product called "Barrier" that they advertise will kill and prevent weeds for up to one year. One gallon ($40) covers 7,100 square feet.
Cheers, Mike

'

 

[MoKelly]

Yea, sorry, there is no magic here. Like the earlier posters say you will always need to use chemicals to kill the weeds.

Also, when you mow, don't discharge the grass clippings onto the gravel. That will help. But, there is no way to permanently, forever get rid of weeds in gravel.

Good luck.

MoKelly

 

[oldpilgrim]

nothing works permanently as has been said. I found white vinegar full strength works as well as Roundup and is less expensive and is environmentally friendly.

Your yard will smell like rotten apples for a day of two though!

 

[Cherokee140]

nothing works permanently as has been said. I found white vinegar full strength works as well as Roundup and is less expensive and is environmentally friendly.

Your yard will smell like rotten apples for a day of two though!

That's funny.

Thanks for all the help

 

[fordmantpw]

I take my Ratchet Rake and clean the weeds up about twice a year. It's not permanent, but more fun than spraying for hours!

 

[NS Gearhead]

I too can't stand weeds on my driveway. I was gonna try one of those roofing torches this year... you're saying it doesn't work... or just not permanent? I don't mind having to do it every three or four weeks.

I was using gas... worked, but as with everything else they come back.

 

[jlgurr]

This is one thing that just drives me bonkers...pet peeve of mine...

...I was toying with the idea of scooping up the entire areas in front of one of the barns then putting it back down again just to tear out the weeds.

Woo-Hoo!!!! I can't wait to share this with my wife. She believes the extent of my OCD is abnormal, yet I find more and more people just like me every day.

 

[bcp]

This is the best thing that can be mixed with gravel to prevent weeds.



Bruce