How do I keep weeds from growing in my gravel?

Key Points:
✅ Lay a weed-proof membrane or fabric foundation before laying the gravel.
✅ Use rock salt, vinegar and dish soap, or boiling water to kill weeds.
✅ Create a barrier using pavers, bricks, stones or tiles.
✅ Use a weed burner to remove weeds from gravel.
✅ Top up gravel often and consider replacing with mulch or stones.

Hello! My name is Emily and I am a 23 year old Gardening Expert. I have been gardening for over 15 years and I know just how difficult it can be to deal with weeds in gravel driveways. Thankfully, there are several ways to keep them from taking over.

Method	Description
Membrane/Fabric Foundation	Lay a weed-proof membrane or fabric foundation before laying the gravel.
Rock Salt	Sprinkle rock salt on the affected area.
Vinegar and Dish Soap	Mix dish soap and vinegar together and spray it on the weeds.
Boiling Water	Boil a pot/kettle of water and pour directly onto stubborn weed growth.
Weed Burner	Light the weed burner for a quick and effective way to remove weeds.
Herbicides	Use chemical herbicides designed for killing weeds.
Landscape Fabric	Lay landscape fabric below the gravel.
Edging Material	Install an edging material around your gravel to separate it from surrounding areas.
Top Up Gravel	Top up the gravel often to fill any cracks and voids.
Prepare Soil	Clear the soil of rocks, roots and weeds and add organic compost.
Replace Gravel/Pebbles	Consider replacing gravel or pebbles with mulch or stones.

Weeds can be a pesky problem when it comes to gravel driveways, but there are several ways to keep them from taking over.

The most effective way is to lay a weed-proof membrane or fabric foundation before laying the gravel. This will stop weeds from growing in your driveway and spreading their roots into it.

Additionally, you can hand-weed your gravel by pulling out any existing weeds, sprinkle rock salt on the affected area, mix dish soap and vinegar together and spray it on the weeds, or make a three-ingredient weedkiller with salt, water, and washing up liquid.

Finally, you can build a barrier using pavers, bricks, stones or tiles to help keep soil from mixing in with the stones and prevent people and animals from carrying too much soil into the gravel.

Do weeds destroy the beauty of your gravel driveway or garden? Do you wish to possess a stunning landscape without battling weeds? Then you are in the correct spot! In this article, we will show you ways and methods to stop weeds from growing in gravel. That way, you can keep your ideal landscape in sight!

Pull Them Out By Hand

Manual weeding of gravel may be the cheapest and easiest way for some gardens. Pulling out weeds is great for getting rid of them before they spread and need more labor-intensive control. Weeding should be done regularly, so weeds are pulled before they produce seeds or become too big. Taking measures to prevent new weed seeds from growing is also important.

When taking out weeds, be careful not to spread any existing seed. Put the weeds in a bucket of soapy water before disposing of them. Also, patchy areas of bare soil should be filled with gravel or mulch if possible. This will stop new weed seeds from getting any sunlight from beneath the soil.

Unleash The Rock Salt

Rock salt is a popular weed-controller in gravel. It acts as a desiccant, absorbing water and nutrients which break down into ions and leach away. This process causes plants to die due to lack of cell turgor. It kills weeds without harming gravel.

To use rock salt for weed control:

Spread rock salt evenly over weeds. Clear away mulch or debris first. Use a broom, rake and shovel. Don’t apply too much as this could damage soil and vegetation.
Wait several weeks for the treatment to take effect. Multiple applications may be needed for complete control.

DIY Weed Killer For Gravel Driveways

Weed-filled gravel driveways? DIY weed killers have the perfect solution! Here are some homemade recipes for an environmentally-friendly way to get rid of them:

Vinegar Weed Killer: Mix one part white vinegar/apple cider vinegar with two parts water. Put in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the weeds. Do this on sunny days – moisture can weaken the mix.
Salt Weed Killer: Salt can kill off unwanted plants, but use it sparingly – it can harm surrounding grass and vegetation. To make a salt solution, mix 2-3tbsp salt with 1 gallon of hot water. Let it cool, then apply with a spray bottle or watering can. Wash off any salt residue from the gravel after.
Boiling Water Weed Killer: On sunny days, boil a pot/kettle of water and pour directly onto stubborn weed growth. Be careful not to burn yourself or nearby foliage!

Fire Up The Weed Burner

Light the weed burner for a quick and effective way to remove weeds from gravel. It has an adjustable flame, powered by a gas canister. This intense heat destroys the cells of weeds, drying them out and killing them. No harsh chemicals are left behind.

Heat is ideal for paved driveways and walkways, plus you don’t need to pull each weed out. Even better, the heat kills spores and prevents re-growth for months.

Use Weed Killer To Remove Pesky Weeds From Your Gravel Driveway

Weeds can grow rampant in your gravel driveway if you don’t take action. Pulling them out by hand is time-consuming and can damage your gravel. The best way to prevent and remove them is to use weed killer.

Chemical herbicides are designed for killing weeds in a gravel area. Most have glysophate, which kills broadleaf and grassy weeds without harming gravel. Check the back of the packaging for instructions before using.

Organic methods, such as boiling water or vinegar, are natural alternatives to chemical herbicides. However, they may need regular re-application and are not as effective against grasses or deep-rooted perennials.

No matter what method you use, it’s important to keep up with it during the spring/summer months when weeds are actively growing!

Lay Landscape Fabric Beneath your Gravel

Weeds can be kept away by laying landscape fabric below the gravel. Buy this woven or non-woven fiber in rolls at a hardware or gardening store. It allows air and water in, but stops weeds.

Before laying the fabric, prepare the area. Do this by adding a 2” layer of organic compost on top of native soil. This will give an even compost distribution and add soil fertility. It also reduces drainage problems from high clay content.

Install the fabric by cutting strips that fit between the landscape edging. Overlap the seams by 6”-12” for maximum coverage against weeds.

Once all steps are completed, spread the gravel!

Install an Edging Border Around Your Gravel

Creating a barrier b/w your gravel and the soil prevents weeds. Install an edging material around your gravel to separate it from surrounding areas. Edging materials can be metal or plastic strips, or heavy-duty timber to mark planting beds.

Metal edging is good for pathways, driveways, and parking areas.
Plastic edging is good if you want to keep the natural look.
Roll out fabrics provide another form of weed prevention.

Make sure the edging material is buried deep, at least 4–6 inches below ground level. Keep the area clean by regularly pulling out weeds as soon as you see them.

Top Up Your Gravel

Manually removing weeds from gravel can be tough work. But, there are ways to keep weeds away. Top up the gravel often to fill any cracks and voids. This will stop weed seeds from taking root. Herbicides aren’t recommended, as they can damage other plants nearby.

If weeds have already grown, try covering the existing layer of gravel with landscaping fabric, then add a fresh layer of gravel.

Prepare the Soil Beneath Your Gravel

Before you lay down your stone or gravel, clear the soil of rocks, roots, and weeds. Use weed-preventing fabric to shield your gravel from any existing weeds and stop new growth. Make sure the soil is friable and healthy by tilling it up or adding compost/bark for better drainage. Spread a layer of stone dust over the ground for an even surface before the gravels.

Consider Replacing the Gravel or Pebbles

Weeds can be a real nuisance in gravel or pebble beds. To get rid of them, consider replacing the material with something else. Gravel and pebbles are good for slowing down water runoff and providing ground cover, but they won’t stop weeds from growing.

Mulch may help. It’s any material that’s laid on the soil to reduce weed growth and keep moisture in. Popular kinds are bark chips, cedar chips, and cocoa shells. This’ll make it harder for weeds to get in.

You could also use stones or bricks to cover the beds. This’ll stop light from reaching the soil and make it harder for weeds. Perennials can also help by filling in any gaps and stopping weed seeds from taking root.