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#1
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
Hi:
I have a fenced in garden area (to keep out the deer) with flowerbeds. Right now I have decomposed granite for the paths between the beds. However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. My thoughts so far a 1. Leave the decomposed granite and just weed- I don't have the time to do this, and the weeds are numerous, various sizes, and out of control. I need to restrict my weeding to the beds as my available time is so little, and the paths are so bad. 2. Leave the decomposed granite and just use Roundup or equivalent- Although not totally against chemicals, I'd much rather avoid the poison, and besides, even if I Roundup the walkway I eventually have to pull up the dead plants anyway. Plus it looks cruddy with dead plants all over it. This isn't really a consideration. 3. Leave the decomposed granite and try a pre-emergent- Again, I'd rather avoid chemicals. I tried corngluten and it was pretty much useless. It appears I have just too many things germinating over too wide a range of time to nail with a pre-emergent, at least a non-chemical option like corngluten, which has a effective window of 2 weeks (or so I am told). I guess I could go out and sprinkle corngluten every 2-3 weeks all year. 4. Remove all decomposed granite, dig out dirt to a flat surface, put down weed barrier fabric, and replace decomposed granite- The problem with this is the area is on a slope, not severe, but enough that the granite does wash off a bit. I probably need 2-3" of granite I am guessing on top of the landscape fabric. 5. Remove the decomposed granite and replace with mortared in limestone- My mom cautioned me on this by noting that the pathway might get very hot (it isn't sunny, but a partial sun area) which might not be great for the plants. Is this true? Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? Thanks. andyd |
#2
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
I use a propane torch with a Red Dragon wand to keep the weeds off the
decomposed granite in 5-6 places that have these paths. http://www.flameengineering.com/ -- = Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky 2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful =F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business =F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal |
#3
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
I use a propane torch with a Red Dragon wand to keep the weeds off the
decomposed granite in 5-6 places that have these paths. http://www.flameengineering.com/ -- = Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky 2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful =F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business =F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal |
#4
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
Andyd wrote:
However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. My thoughts so far a Yup, we have the same problem. 1. Leave the decomposed granite and just weed- I don't have the time That's what we do. Getting a weeding tools helps a lot and it's very easy to do in the granite since there are no plants to be careful with. 2. Leave the decomposed granite and just use Roundup or equivalent- Why not used concentrated vinegar? It works like a charm and it's non-toxic. Plants pretty much disintegrate, unless they're huge weeds, you won't notice them at all. 3. Leave the decomposed granite and try a pre-emergent- Again, I'd We apply corn gluten twice a year. It does help some. 4. Remove all decomposed granite, dig out dirt to a flat surface, put down weed barrier fabric, and replace decomposed granite- The problem Won't do you any good. Weeds thrive in decomposed granite. Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? I'm pretty sure they weed a lot. Go to the Natural Gardener and get one of their weeders. The one that works best on granite has a swivel head with a curved double blade. It's very easy to use and works very well for the granite. -- Victor Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam he Email me he |
#5
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
Andyd wrote:
However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. My thoughts so far a Yup, we have the same problem. 1. Leave the decomposed granite and just weed- I don't have the time That's what we do. Getting a weeding tools helps a lot and it's very easy to do in the granite since there are no plants to be careful with. 2. Leave the decomposed granite and just use Roundup or equivalent- Why not used concentrated vinegar? It works like a charm and it's non-toxic. Plants pretty much disintegrate, unless they're huge weeds, you won't notice them at all. 3. Leave the decomposed granite and try a pre-emergent- Again, I'd We apply corn gluten twice a year. It does help some. 4. Remove all decomposed granite, dig out dirt to a flat surface, put down weed barrier fabric, and replace decomposed granite- The problem Won't do you any good. Weeds thrive in decomposed granite. Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? I'm pretty sure they weed a lot. Go to the Natural Gardener and get one of their weeders. The one that works best on granite has a swivel head with a curved double blade. It's very easy to use and works very well for the granite. -- Victor Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam he Email me he |
#6
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
I second that!
John "J Kolenovsky" wrote in message ... I use a propane torch with a Red Dragon wand to keep the weeds off the decomposed granite in 5-6 places that have these paths. http://www.flameengineering.com/ -- Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky 2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful τΏτ - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business τΏτ - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal |
#7
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
I second that!
John "J Kolenovsky" wrote in message ... I use a propane torch with a Red Dragon wand to keep the weeds off the decomposed granite in 5-6 places that have these paths. http://www.flameengineering.com/ -- Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky 2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful τΏτ - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business τΏτ - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal |
#8
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
Good idea, but if I showed up with a flame torch in the tinderbox
better known as my neighborhood, my wife would kill me first and then toss out my new toy....... On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 21:45:18 -0500, J Kolenovsky wrote: I use a propane torch with a Red Dragon wand to keep the weeds off the decomposed granite in 5-6 places that have these paths. http://www.flameengineering.com/ |
#9
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
I think I shouldn't have included No. 1 on my list as an option.
Weeding is just not an option, at least not in the paths. I am talking about literally thousands of weeds, numerous species, everything from small (1/2") grasses, generic broadleaf weeds (the worst because they start seeding out at a very small size), to giant prickly things (I hadn't had time to get out yet this year, some were 3 feet tall- aack). I had some time on Sunday to work in the yard, and I ended up spending 75% of my time, probably 3-4 hours total, weeding the $&#!*^ paths, and I still only got the things I could get my hands/fingers around, and not the tiny stuff. They'll get bigger, but then I'll be faced with the same cycle again, weed the bigger stuff, leave the tiny stuff, use up a lot of time that could be spent on the flowerbeds and other things. Getting a different shaped weeder isn't going to work, I don't think, not when I am faced with thousands of tiny little weeds that I can't even really grab ahold of. Maybe I should ask my wife about that torch suggestion... That is the sort of solution I need. Either that or rock pathways. On Tue, 06 Apr 2004 02:44:14 GMT, Victor Martinez wrote: Andyd wrote: However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. My thoughts so far a Yup, we have the same problem. 1. Leave the decomposed granite and just weed- I don't have the time That's what we do. Getting a weeding tools helps a lot and it's very easy to do in the granite since there are no plants to be careful with. 2. Leave the decomposed granite and just use Roundup or equivalent- Why not used concentrated vinegar? It works like a charm and it's non-toxic. Plants pretty much disintegrate, unless they're huge weeds, you won't notice them at all. 3. Leave the decomposed granite and try a pre-emergent- Again, I'd We apply corn gluten twice a year. It does help some. 4. Remove all decomposed granite, dig out dirt to a flat surface, put down weed barrier fabric, and replace decomposed granite- The problem Won't do you any good. Weeds thrive in decomposed granite. Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? I'm pretty sure they weed a lot. Go to the Natural Gardener and get one of their weeders. The one that works best on granite has a swivel head with a curved double blade. It's very easy to use and works very well for the granite. |
#10
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
What ever happened to using a weedeater?
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz????? Job done, loud smokey and annoying for about 10 or so minutes. Grind those little weeds right to the ground and don't worry about it for about 2 weeks or until the rains stop. Seems like a weedeater or torch is the thing to do!!!!!!! Andyd wrote: I think I shouldn't have included No. 1 on my list as an option. Weeding is just not an option, at least not in the paths. I am talking about literally thousands of weeds, numerous species, everything from small (1/2") grasses, generic broadleaf weeds (the worst because they start seeding out at a very small size), to giant prickly things (I hadn't had time to get out yet this year, some were 3 feet tall- aack). I had some time on Sunday to work in the yard, and I ended up spending 75% of my time, probably 3-4 hours total, weeding the $&#!*^ paths, and I still only got the things I could get my hands/fingers around, and not the tiny stuff. They'll get bigger, but then I'll be faced with the same cycle again, weed the bigger stuff, leave the tiny stuff, use up a lot of time that could be spent on the flowerbeds and other things. Getting a different shaped weeder isn't going to work, I don't think, not when I am faced with thousands of tiny little weeds that I can't even really grab ahold of. Maybe I should ask my wife about that torch suggestion... That is the sort of solution I need. Either that or rock pathways. On Tue, 06 Apr 2004 02:44:14 GMT, Victor Martinez wrote: Andyd wrote: However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. My thoughts so far a Yup, we have the same problem. 1. Leave the decomposed granite and just weed- I don't have the time That's what we do. Getting a weeding tools helps a lot and it's very easy to do in the granite since there are no plants to be careful with. 2. Leave the decomposed granite and just use Roundup or equivalent- Why not used concentrated vinegar? It works like a charm and it's non-toxic. Plants pretty much disintegrate, unless they're huge weeds, you won't notice them at all. 3. Leave the decomposed granite and try a pre-emergent- Again, I'd We apply corn gluten twice a year. It does help some. 4. Remove all decomposed granite, dig out dirt to a flat surface, put down weed barrier fabric, and replace decomposed granite- The problem Won't do you any good. Weeds thrive in decomposed granite. Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? I'm pretty sure they weed a lot. Go to the Natural Gardener and get one of their weeders. The one that works best on granite has a swivel head with a curved double blade. It's very easy to use and works very well for the granite. |
#11
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 20:37:48 GMT, Andyd wrote:
(snipped here) Right now I have decomposed granite for the paths between the beds. However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. How about adapting a steam carpet cleaner to do this? You just need something to burn off the tops of the plants and steam would do that. Do it very often and maybe the plants would give up. I have been playing around with using crushed glass containers to make paths like this and the next path I will put down on a root proof fabric and put the path material over it. My neighbors do not mind - so far. It is sort of pretty, especially after dark, and the glass gravel is not sharp. Rusty Mase |
#12
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RFI: Options for paths in my garden
Andyd wrote:
Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? Andy -- I used decomposed granite in 2 beds as mulch. One was a total success -- A raised cactus bed, bordered with limestone, raised about 6-8 inches above the lawn. The ONLY weeding I ever do is pull out the St. Augustine that sneaks in from the yard. The other was a total failure -- the narrow strip that lies between the street and sidewalk. It only ever grew weeds so I tried to turn it into a bed. I sprayed it with roundup, weedeated it down to the dirt, put in the granite and planted some plants. My street is peculiar in that there's no curb, just a cement apron between the street and the grassy strip. The rain washes dirt and everyone elses weed seeds into this area. Both beds were done at the same time, with 1.5-2 inches of granite. My theory is that the raised bed drains well. The granite in there forms a crust that doesn't allow seeds to germinate. The other bed quickly got dirt mixed in with the granite. No crust, and no shortage of weed seeds. If you like the look of the decomposed granite (I do) then I'd say pull it out and spread it over the lawn. It's probably got dirt mixed in with it and isn't weed resistant anymore. Edge the walks with something that will allow them to be raised -- stone, metal edging, concrete, etc. Then fill them with new decomposed granite. good luck, --steve |
#13
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Options for paths in my garden
The best answer to your problem is to use the mortered rock. The rock will
be cooler than the granite and cheaper than maintaining the granite by chemical or other means. I have used a torch numerous times and am pleased with the result. However the chance of a fire is great. Call me if you would like a quote on mortered rock. 293-3989 As for R.C. "Andyd" wrote in message ... Hi: I have a fenced in garden area (to keep out the deer) with flowerbeds. Right now I have decomposed granite for the paths between the beds. However, I am finding the weed problem on these paths is horrendous, and I need some recommendations for options. My thoughts so far a 1. Leave the decomposed granite and just weed- I don't have the time to do this, and the weeds are numerous, various sizes, and out of control. I need to restrict my weeding to the beds as my available time is so little, and the paths are so bad. 2. Leave the decomposed granite and just use Roundup or equivalent- Although not totally against chemicals, I'd much rather avoid the poison, and besides, even if I Roundup the walkway I eventually have to pull up the dead plants anyway. Plus it looks cruddy with dead plants all over it. This isn't really a consideration. 3. Leave the decomposed granite and try a pre-emergent- Again, I'd rather avoid chemicals. I tried corngluten and it was pretty much useless. It appears I have just too many things germinating over too wide a range of time to nail with a pre-emergent, at least a non-chemical option like corngluten, which has a effective window of 2 weeks (or so I am told). I guess I could go out and sprinkle corngluten every 2-3 weeks all year. 4. Remove all decomposed granite, dig out dirt to a flat surface, put down weed barrier fabric, and replace decomposed granite- The problem with this is the area is on a slope, not severe, but enough that the granite does wash off a bit. I probably need 2-3" of granite I am guessing on top of the landscape fabric. 5. Remove the decomposed granite and replace with mortared in limestone- My mom cautioned me on this by noting that the pathway might get very hot (it isn't sunny, but a partial sun area) which might not be great for the plants. Is this true? Any other options? Any help would be appreciated. What do places like the Wildflower Center do to keep their decomposed granite pathways weed-free? Thanks. andyd |
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