Thread: weed control
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Old 11-07-2016, 08:41 PM posted to rec.gardens
brooklyn1 brooklyn1 is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Feb 2009
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Default weed control

Moe DeLoughan wrote:
herb white wrote:

I have a gravel drive about 10 ft wide and 500 ft long that has
some weeds coming up. What is best to use to control those weeds
that will not pollute the river? Thanks for any info.


My first choice would be a propane flamethrower, if you're willing to
walk and burn the weeds. Second choice would be a tank sprayer filled
with boiling water. That could be a logistic problem, depending on how
many weeds there are and thus how much boiling water you'd need.


I've tried both those methods, they work immediately but very
temperary, neither will kill the roots so the weeds will grow back
within a few days, often with a vengence as destroying the foliage
will cause the plant to send out side shoots and runners in its quest
to live and multiply. The only method I found that works with success
on my long crushed stone driveway is to use a defolient that kills the
roots.... Round-Up works best... a weak solution is very effective
only it can take a week to ten days to see the weeds dying rather than
the 2-3 days with full strength. When used according to the product's
directions it will not harm the environment. I can't imagine an easy
method for applying boiling water over so great a distance... you'd
need a portable propane stove on a cart. I tried boiling water on
weeds growing through cracks in a concrete walkway but a few days
later the weeds were back only 2-3 times bushier... with many weeds
all it takes is a small bit of root remaining and they will grow right
back. Even with Round-Up the next spring new seeds carried by wind
and critters will germinate so be prepared to apply it every year. A
hint when using Round-Up in a portable sprayer add the water first or
it will foam up from the slighest water stream and will take an hour
for the foam to subside.