Ground clear

[Ronlud]

This has probably been asked a bunch, but I've seen so much conflicting information.
I need to clear / sterilize a section of ground. And I mean forever, or as close to it as I can. What is the best method for this.
I've read about the chemicals and it sounds like rm43 gets me maybe ai year, but I need forever. Salt it ? It's not a large area, maybe 500-1000 sq. feet .
Thanks for the help !

 

[BigGG]

Concrete

 

[bcp]

What is this project for?

Bruce

 

[newbury]

Napalm. Love the smell of napalm in the morning.

 

[Ronlud]

This is to stop all weeds in a natural type area, where it has weed stop fabric covered by bark chips.

 

[oosik]

If there were such a chemical that would provide a permanent solution - I'd be concerned about its side effects. Toxic to humans or pets. Does it tend to bleed to other areas when it rains - etc.

There are more than a couple that would provide a LONG solution. However - not allowed in areas where humans or animals could gain access. Not allowed in areas where the product could bleed/drain into adjacent areas.

You are going to be limited to those products that will not harm the environment, humans or animals. To the best of my knowledge there is no chemical that has a permanent effect and meets these requirements.

 

[Ronlud]

What about salt or rock salt?

 

[Jstpssng]

Kerosene will do it, and likely be as safe as any herbicide you can buy.

 

[bcp]

I once put out a salt block to see if deer would like it. They didn't care. It eventually totally dissolved in our heavy rains. It did nothing noticeable to the plants around it while it was there or afterwards.

That would be about 10 inches deep of salt on a 10 inch square.

Bruce

 

[CalG]

Agent Orange has it's followers, but with such a small area, black plastic will do.

 

[goeduck]

No way I would put something down so toxic nothing would ever grow there. Think about the side effects as oosik says. As BigGG says... put in concrete.

 

[D&D]

This has probably been asked a bunch, but I've seen so much conflicting information.
I need to clear / sterilize a section of ground. And I mean forever, or as close to it as I can. What is the best method for this.
I've read about the chemicals and it sounds like rm43 gets me maybe ai year, but I need forever. Salt it ? It's not a large area, maybe 500-1000 sq. feet .
Thanks for the help !

Forever is a long time. RM43 is just 43% glyphosphate, you can buy higher strengths cheaper.
Problem is, weeds grow. Asphalt/concrete cracks and weeds pop up. Lay fabric and mulch, weeds pop up. Weed seeds are carried by wind, mower discharge chutes and wildlife. Getting rid of weeds is only done by manually pulling them or chemical treatment every so often.

 

[D&D]

I appreciate the desire to treat once and never deal with weeds again. Both the bark chips and fabric will not last "forever". Maybe your time horizon for treating should be the same as the chips and fabric. My 3.2 oz fabric lasts about 3 years and chips certainly less. While you can replenish the chips easily, new fabric is essentially starting over after removing the old fabric. The pricey geotechnicals last longer but that's not a weed stop fabric. Also, there are several chemicals that give you pre-emergence protection up to a year than can be reapplied over the chip/fabric layer.

Since herbicide rules vary by location, I'm reluctant to recommend something for you. I call "DoMyOwn.com" and talk to their tech specialists. Be very cautious about trees, shrubs and adjoining desirables that send roots into your "dead zone".

A 45-60 mil pond liner probably would last considerably longer.