Pebbles are great for adding a new stunning look to your landscape or backyard garden, aren’t they? They are also great for drainage.
But, here’s a catch. It feels annoying when you come across tiny weeds that have started growing through these pebbles, right? And, in this case, amateur homeowners like you and us get mostly worried as we don’t know how to stop weeds growing through pebbles.
Well, put all of your worries at rest because we’ve come up with the 5 easiest tricks to prevent weeds from growing through pebbles. Among them, we find the weed killers most effective. The chemicals weed killers contain react with the weeds and kill them out of their roots.
Contents
Weed Types That Usually Grow Through Pebbles
It is better to identify the types of weeds that are growing through your gravel before you try to remove them.
Generally, three types of weed plants are found growing in pebbles, such as Broadleaf weeds, Grassy weeds, and Woody weeds.
- Broadleaf Weeds have broad leaves with green stems and prominent veins. Dandelion, Henbit, Chickweed, and Purslane are some of the examples.
- Grassy weeds have leaves that are long and thin. Some of the examples are Velvetleaf and Long-Spine Sandbur.
- Woody weeds often resemble small trees or shrubs, for example, Black Locust and Mimosa.
How You Can Stop Weeds Growing Through Pebbles (5 Simple Ways):
Let’s get to know a few tips and steps to prevent weeds from growing:
1. Using Weed killers
Using weed killers that are basically known as herbicides can be a very effective and affordable solution to eliminate weeds.
Remember, glyphosate-based weed killers are easy to apply and help to remove the weeds out of their roots.
- How to apply weed killers:
The weed killers come in different types and some of them are ready to use when purchased. You do not need to mix anything else for concentration either.
Some weed killers, on the other hand, require mixing at home and they are mainly called concentrated weed killers.
Depending on the type of weed and chemical, weed killers may take some time to work properly.
If applying the weed killers one time isn’t enough, then consider applying them a second time.
Note: Weed killers are not permanent. You can re-apply them every 2-3 months to ensure that no new weeds are growing in the pebbles.
2. Using Salt
Salt helps to dehydrate soil and stop growing any weeds through pebbles. It is also cheap and one of the easiest solutions to apply.
- How to apply salt:
To apply salt as a weed killer, you need 3 cups of boiling water and 1 cup of salt. Then, mix it up and leave for 3-5 minutes to dissolve it well.
Once the solution is prepared, then consider applying it on the area of the growing weeds.
Note:
Mind you, if the area of the growing weeds is large, then this method is not effective. In this case, you need to spread the salt in the area with pebbles and then spread the water to dehydrate the soil.
Salt kills almost all types of plants. So, be aware when you apply salt.
Don’t spread the solution in the garden plants or the plants you want to grow.
3. Using Boiled Water
If you want the most effective solution to get rid of the growing weed plants, then boiling water is the best option. Because it helps to destroy the plant’s essential parts like cuticles and eventually kill them.
- How to apply boiling water:
Well, to apply boiling water, you just need to carry out some simple steps.
First off, boil the water in a kettle for 5-10 minutes. When the water properly boils, choose to select the areas from where you want to eliminate growing weed plants.
Now, pour the boiled water on these selected areas and you will be able to get rid of this problem quickly.
Note: This method does not apply to large areas.
4. Using Flame Weeding
Unless you want to take risks for your other loving plants growing beside the weeds growing through the pebbles, then obviously flame weeding can be a great bet for you.
The good news is that flame weeding can be bought at the same cost as a bottle of weed killers. It’s not so expensive at all.
- How to apply flame weeding:
A flame weeder consists of a wand connected to a propane tank by a hose. In this method, you will need a flint igniter to light the flame.
Naturally, weeds may need 1-10 seconds to expose to flame. So, pass the flame over the weeds slowly. Once it works, you can see the grass turn from glossy to dull. Leave them to cool off and then pull the root. This is as simple as that.
Note: Don’t use this method when there are wood chips, organic mulch, or anything flammable nearby.
5. Using weed control fabric or membrane
Thinking of decorating your garden with pebbles? Then, this option can be your go-to method and it is also long-lasting for preventing the weeds from growing.
How to apply :
A weed fabric or membrane is a cover or sheet. First off, take a weed fabric and lay it over the surface of the topsoil. Then, cover the beneath of the pebbles.
Notes:
Since the weed fabric doesn’t allow sunlight to go through, it can cause the weed plants to grow less. Additionally, as the weed sheets are covering the surface, it can reduce the reaching of the organic materials into the soil.
Some Other Useful Tricks To Know To Keep Your Pebbles Weed-free:
In addition to the aforementioned tips, a few other options can also be taken into consideration to stop weeds from growing. For example:
- Try to consider raking your gravel on a regular basis, which will help you pull out any weeds and move the ground as well. It will prevent weeds eventually.
- You can also add a new layer of gravel every five years to cover weeds, which will make it difficult for the weeds to seed and grow.
- You can choose to use vinegar like white vinegar rather than chemical weed killers to kill weeds. As white vinegar is safer to use.
How long will landscape fabric last?
Landscape fabric lasts for almost a year, depending on how fast your plants are growing.
Should I put plastic under gravel?
Using plastic under gravel instead of landscape fabric is another great option.
Since plastic blocks sunlight and prevents organic materials from reaching the soil, it will reduce the number of growing weed plants in the future. So, of course, it is a good choice.
What’s Next: Does Roundup Need Sunlight To Work
Final Words
Well, there you have it, people. Now that you’ve come to know how to stop weeds growing through pebbles successfully. I hope if you follow the aforementioned tricks, you’ll be able to come out of this problem with ease.
To sum it all up, preventing the weeds from growing through pebbles is pretty simple and easy if you apply the right method.
Remember, though these methods are non-permanent, if you regularly inspect the Pebbles in the garden, yards, or driveway, then there is less possibility of growing weeds. Have a nice day, thanks!!!