Help on this trouble grass
 

Jimmy, the grass didn't "poke through the fabric;" dirt has settled in the
cracks (on top of the fabric) and seeds have taken root. Two of the
reasons why the grass has not grown from under the fabric: no sun to
encourage germination, not able to grow through the fabric (providing you
didn't damage the fabric when laying the bricks).

The "young ones" are different seeds that were ready to start when you
sprayed; Roundup does not affect anything that has not sprouted; it acts
on the foliage.

Cement would have helped quite a bit but not eliminated the issue since
cracks soon start happening and soon the weeds are there to greet you.

This is a time to use your tea kettle. Pour boiling water wherever you
see the grass appear.

Another solution is vinegar.

There are other things also but are either toxic and/or harmful to the
soil; some would have worked if applied prior to the fabric and only for a
year.

The big thing people miss when using landscape fabric, bark dust, etc., is
that the current vegetation might be addressed but there is dust/dirt that
accumulates on top and settles down for a place for seeds to take root.
Weeds are successful because they can grow in minimally "desirable"
conditions. Surely, you have seen something growing in a crack on the
side of a building and definitely in the cracks of sidewalks.

If all trace of dirt/dust/soil could be kept out, those common weed seeds
would have no place to take root. That is qualified with "common" because
there are plants which need no dirt.

Of course, you could let them grow to tall enough to pull them, water the
bricks to loosen the soil and pull the weeds by the roots - a solution for
someone with more time on their hands than most of us have and certainly
as exciting as watching snails race.

Keep pouring the boiling water which will be more effective than the
sprays; it will cook the about-to-sprout plants as well as those sprouted
and perhaps cook the seeds as well. Unfortunately, the problem will be
ongoing as dirt will collect and seeds will be scattered. We welcome it
with our lawns and hate it with our sidewalks and drives; contrary lot are
we humans.

Good luck. I feel badly for you, all that work and now the weeds; it
stinks!

Glenna


writes:
I am really struggle how to "permanently" eliminate
this type of weed on my brick patio.
Using the weed killer called ROUNDUP
does not really work --- it only makes some of
the leaves turned yellow, and then the young ones come back in a day or
so.

What is interesting is that I actually put some landscape fabric on
before we laid the bricks. It sounds like the grass pokes thru the fabric
!

Please see the image on the link below:

http://tinypic.com/537zqsm.jpg

http://tinypic.com/6767nl1.jpg


Does anybody in this forum know a better way to solve
the problem?

Thanks in advance


JIMMY

Help on this trouble grass
 

On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:54:05 -0500, Lar wrote:

Glenna Rose wrote:
Jimmy, the grass didn't "poke through the fabric;" dirt has settled in the
cracks (on top of the fabric) and seeds have taken root. Two of the
reasons why the grass has not grown from under the fabric: no sun to
encourage germination, not able to grow through the fabric (providing you
didn't damage the fabric when laying the bricks).

It looks to be nut sedge that would grow through any plastic...it even
comes through hard plastic kiddie pools and the toughened liners of
above ground swimming pools if left in one place for the summer.

The "young ones" are different seeds that were ready to start when you
sprayed; Roundup does not affect anything that has not sprouted; it acts
on the foliage.

Nut sedge will be coming up from the "nuts" under ground, probably not
from seed.

Horsenettle is the same. Right along the lines of mint. I have
fought all three.




Cement would have helped quite a bit but not eliminated the issue since
cracks soon start happening and soon the weeds are there to greet you.

This is a time to use your tea kettle. Pour boiling water wherever you
see the grass appear.

the boiling water will only kill the exposed vegetation and not really
do anything for the under ground part of the plant, especially under
patio pavers.
Another solution is vinegar.

There are other things also but are either toxic and/or harmful to the
soil; some would have worked if applied prior to the fabric and only for a
year.

Boiling water pretty much sterilizes the soil killing any beneficial
organism in it...vinegar probably is a close second to the damage along
with possibly changing the PH of the soil itself..



Lar
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

Help on this trouble grass
 

On Sep 13, 3:54 pm, Lar wrote:
Glenna Rose wrote:
Jimmy, the grass didn't "poke through the fabric;" dirt has settled in the
cracks (on top of the fabric) and seeds have taken root. Two of the
reasons why the grass has not grown from under the fabric: no sun to
encourage germination, not able to grow through the fabric (providing you
didn't damage the fabric when laying the bricks).

It looks to be nut sedge that would grow through any plastic...it even
comes through hard plastic kiddie pools and the toughened liners of
above ground swimming pools if left in one place for the summer.

The "young ones" are different seeds that were ready to start when you
sprayed; Roundup does not affect anything that has not sprouted; it acts
on the foliage.

Nut sedge will be coming up from the "nuts" under ground, probably not
from seed.

Cement would have helped quite a bit but not eliminated the issue since
cracks soon start happening and soon the weeds are there to greet you.

This is a time to use your tea kettle. Pour boiling water wherever you
see the grass appear.

the boiling water will only kill the exposed vegetation and not really
do anything for the under ground part of the plant, especially under
patio pavers.

Another solution is vinegar.

There are other things also but are either toxic and/or harmful to the
soil; some would have worked if applied prior to the fabric and only for a
year.

Boiling water pretty much sterilizes the soil killing any beneficial
organism in it...vinegar probably is a close second to the damage along
with possibly changing the PH of the soil itself..

Lar

Yesterday, I tried to remove one of the bricks, and sure enough, the
weed actually "poked" thru the landscape fabric from the under side!

Sounds like it is not going to be easy to solve.

However, it I continous to attack with ROUNDUP regularly, will it be
eventually eliminated?

Please share your comments,


JIMMY

Help on this trouble grass
 

I went to the local Homedepot and bought a gallon
of a "new flavor" of roundup called Entended Protection.
I cost about $19 (I think it is a stronger version).
I applied to ALL gaps along the bricks. For few days now
I have not seen any young weed emerged !!! . According the
the product label, it should control upto 4 months. I am keeping
my finger cross now and hope this works, even though it is not
a cheap way to do.

JIMMY


"Lar" wrote in message
...
Glenna Rose wrote:
Jimmy, the grass didn't "poke through the fabric;" dirt has settled in
the
cracks (on top of the fabric) and seeds have taken root. Two of the
reasons why the grass has not grown from under the fabric: no sun to
encourage germination, not able to grow through the fabric (providing you
didn't damage the fabric when laying the bricks).

It looks to be nut sedge that would grow through any plastic...it even
comes through hard plastic kiddie pools and the toughened liners of above
ground swimming pools if left in one place for the summer.

The "young ones" are different seeds that were ready to start when you
sprayed; Roundup does not affect anything that has not sprouted; it acts
on the foliage.

Nut sedge will be coming up from the "nuts" under ground, probably not
from seed.
Cement would have helped quite a bit but not eliminated the issue since
cracks soon start happening and soon the weeds are there to greet you.

This is a time to use your tea kettle. Pour boiling water wherever you
see the grass appear.

the boiling water will only kill the exposed vegetation and not really do
anything for the under ground part of the plant, especially under patio
pavers.
Another solution is vinegar.

There are other things also but are either toxic and/or harmful to the
soil; some would have worked if applied prior to the fabric and only for
a
year.

Boiling water pretty much sterilizes the soil killing any beneficial
organism in it...vinegar probably is a close second to the damage along
with possibly changing the PH of the soil itself..



Lar