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+--- Thread: Grass in Gravel (/showthread.php?tid=8994)
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Grass in Gravel - Kelena - 07-08-2011
I have a long gray gravel driveway. It appears to be getting "grassed over". I don't think I want that. I think I want the driveway to remain distinctly gravelly. I know that Roundup would knock the grass for a loop, but I don't want to go sprayin' that stuff around if I don't have to. I don't like the idea of chemicals becoming windborne, settling on the roof and, well, you know where they would go from there.
I am thinking Roundup is the only way to do this, though. Is there another way? Giant magnifying glass that makes the grass explode into flames? A herd of bunnies? Sheep with a shock collar on so he won't stray onto the real lawn?
RE: Grass in Gravel - Rob Tucker - 07-08-2011
Depending on how much grass has developed you might use Round-up once and let the grass die. Then one technique is to use a large landscape torch hooked to a five gallon propane tank and burn off the grass. This is commonly done.
RE: Grass in Gravel - james weatherford - 07-09-2011
One way to reduce the risk of wind blowing the Roundup is to use a wipe-on rather than spray-on method.
The burner might be adequate without Roundup if the grass is not yet tall and/or thick.
RE: Grass in Gravel - csgray - 07-09-2011
Using a weed flamer only requires that you "heat" the plant material up enough to blow up the cells (about like steaming spinach), you don't have to actually "burn" them off. Works best with annuals, although it can keep perennials under control. Putting the propane tank on a dolly or hand truck makes it much easier on the back.
Carol
RE: Grass in Gravel - Kelena - 07-09-2011
Thanks, Carol, James and Rob. I will pass on your suggestions to my guy. I don't think I ever had this problem when the bunny was around.
RE: Grass in Gravel - carmel123 - 07-10-2011
If you can guarantee several very sunny days without rain, you can use vinegar to kill weeds. Simply spray vinegar from a spray bottle on weeds on a very sunny day. This may be problematic in your area since it rains so often.
RE: Grass in Gravel - csgray - 07-10-2011
I can attest that that method does not work on everything, especially not the Oregon blackberry that can eat a 1/3 acre yard in a single summer! We tried it during the dry season, I had hoped I had found the holy grail of weed control, but no luck.
Carol
RE: Grass in Gravel - carmel123 - 07-10-2011
Agreed. Vinegar may not work for you, but I still say start with vinegar the then move to more powerful weed killers like a blow torch. If these do not work then try the chemical removers like "Round-up". I think we all want to use as little chemicals as possible. But ultimately, you need to get rid of the weeds, so that you can grow your food crops. I fully support your efforts to grow food for your family.
RE: Grass in Gravel - Kelena - 07-11-2011
This is grass, not weeds (or weed!). Just plain grass coming up out of the gravel. Not very high. Try vinegar on that first? Will vinegar kill grass?
We do have dry days from time to time!
RE: Grass in Gravel - carmel123 - 07-11-2011
Yes the combination of vinegar and sunshine will kill grass. We used this a lot in southern california. It does not work in Carmel well since we have too much fog. You need a bright sunny day. I like to use one of the garden sprayers and cheap vinegar. I don't dilute the vinegar. I learned this from my grandfather, it is a school janitor trick.