skip to main content

Ask The Yard Doctor

weeds in driveway

17 years ago

Dear Dr Rogers

Which is the best way to get rid of weeds on our gravel driveway. Last year I tried vinegar and clorox (mixed)and it worked well, everything became brown and I thought the weeds got killed, but this year, wow, the surprise.....

It was expensive too, the driveway si almost 100 feet long.

I don't want to use any chemicals, as we have 2 surface wells, and I'm against anything chemical. Can you help ?

Thanks

Here is a link that might be useful: Mountain Home

Comments (3)

yarddoctor
17 years ago
Dear Aiaral,

Thank you very much for your inquiry. The weeds in your drive way will always be a challenge whether you use your mixture or a herbicide as they come back from seeds and rhizomes in the gravel drive way. So I am afraid you will have to put this down as one of your annual chores. Your mixture is fine for eradication and for many weeds hot water will work as well. If you have a steamer, hold this on the weeds for about 10-15 seconds and you will see good results.

Again, thanks for the question and let me know if you have more.

Respectfully

Trey Rogers
The Yard Doctor
swisscanada
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you Dr Rogers for your advise. I have a steamer and I think that would be the less expensive solution, otherwise I need so many 4liter containers of vinegar, plus the clorox.
Another question: when is it the best time ?? Now or in the spring ??
Thank you.
Related Discussions
Weed or Epimedium?
Q
Comments (6)
To the question of nativity. There are no known native species of Epimedium in North America. The ones commonly available are usually hybrids from Europe and species from Asia. There are about 50 named species and new ones are being found in China as plant explorers venture further into areas that have not been previously botanised. I know that they produce seed, but in all of the years I've grown them, I have never found seedlings around the plants. They do expand by producing thick woody rhizomes with short internodes and over a period of time, a single plant can become very large. Great opportunity for sharing! Rb
...See More
Can I use boiling water to kill weeds?
Q
Comments (4)
You need a weed torch. Good top kill, though perennial weeds will have to be burned off as they return. Heck of a lot faster and more convenient than boiling water. I don't know of any non chemical method of weed control that will translocate down through the roots. Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
How to Dispose Star of Bethlehem?
Q
Comments (5)
If you want to save your soil, put them in a container of water. After a bit, swish it around. Some of the dirt will fall off, and you can keep going till you're happy with the amount of dirt you got. Throw away the plant and roots, and use the water for some of your plants. The dirt/mud will fall right back into your yard.
...See More
new rental...need to kill weeds but I don't want to hurt garden/animal
Q
Comments (16)
Oh my, I remember the day when I moved into my new rental. Both the front and the backyard were full of weeds, and I also noticed that there were a lot of squirrels among these weeds. They were so annoying! I always pull the weeds by hand. I think this is the most reliable way to get rid of them. But, to get rid of the squirrels I needed help. I called the guys from wildlife removal and they took care of them immediately. Now I even have my own small garden, with lots of fresh veggies, which are always a better choice than the ones from the market.
...See More
yarddoctor
17 years ago
Dear Aiaral,

I would approach this as a monthly chore, if I could, from April through October.

Trey Rogers

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Ways to Naturally Win the Weed War

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Show irksome weeds no mercy with these tricks for combating them sans chemicals

GARDENING GUIDES Tackle Weeds the Natural Way

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Instead of dousing your yard with chemicals to wipe out weeds, let time and nature work their magic via smothering and solarization

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: From Overgrown Weeds to Picturesque Farmhouse Expanse

By Mitchell Parker

This once-neglected 100-acre South Carolina site now features a lake, a wood-filled farmhouse and a far-reaching view

REMODELING GUIDES Gravel Driveways: Crunching the Pros and Cons

By Erin Lang Norris

If you want to play rough with your driveway, put away the pavers and choose the rocky road

EARTH DAY How to Build a Greener Driveway

By Jen Dalley //

Install a permeable driveway to keep pollutants out of water sources and groundwater levels balanced

REMODELING GUIDES Concrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons

By Erin Lang Norris

Concrete adds smooth polish to driveways and a sleek look to home exteriors, but here are the points to ponder before you re-surface

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Driveway Looks Take Landscapes Along for the Ride

See how to design a front yard that makes your driveway its own destination

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Renovation Detail: The Ribbon Driveway

By Rachel Grace

Grass paired with concrete for the driveway is more than just pleasing to the eye — it's good for the environment and your home

CURB APPEAL How to Reseal Your Asphalt Driveway

By Christine Tusher

Protect your driveway and keep it looking great by applying new sealer every couple of years. Get the details here

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Give Your Driveway and Front Walk More Curb Appeal

By Laura Gaskill

Prevent injuries and tire damage while making a great first impression by replacing or repairing front paths

Sponsored

More Discussions

Are my newly viburnums dead or dying?

3

Can I recover the structure of this tree?

0

Cement or pavers- which is better?

9