Getting rid of weeds in gravel driveway (1 Viewer)

[canman]

Looking for suggestions to rid my gravel driveway of weeds. Have tried weed killer (hand held bottle) which didn't work and was expensive for the size of driveway (400' lg). I also really don't like the idea of using chemicals since we have a well and live on a lake. I typically use my Stihl weed eater, but it is noisy and kicks up lots of stones which is a nuisance and dangerous for myself, house and vehicles. I tried this weekend burning them which did the job using a small propane torch but was too time consuming. I then resorted to sprinkling gas but that was a ridiculous idea after catching my shoes on fire.

 

[D'Animal]

We hate using chemicals around our pond and horse pastures.

But

Round Up is "safe" around animals after 24 hours.

We also use 2-4-D and keep the horses off the pasture for a week after it is applied.

 

[Clutchee]

Cheaper alternative to round up is product called Eraser, same thing but about 1/3 cost.
I use it around our place for drive way and shop edges. Works great- weeds don't reappear.

 

[FLATU8ER]

There are lots of generic "Round Up" products out there. Just look at the label of active ingredients (A.I.) The name of it Round Up is called glyphosate. For general weed control I like to mix R Up with 2,4-D (also called weed b gone).
On a standard tank mix I would try to get a 2% solution of R Up and the same for the 2,4-D.
Test you water that you will be using for a tank mix. Hard water is your enemy. Ca, Mg, and Fe is what makes water "hard".
These molecules will attach to the glyphosate molecules and make them in-active.
Additionally you will want to check the pH of the water. It should be, or you can bring it down to around 5 or 5.5 pH, as these products work best in a lower/acidic solution.

 

[splitshot]

Generic glyphosate is the way to go, because of it's structure it is void of leaching into the ground. It gets tied up in the soil particles and only works through actively growing foliage. Best results are "healthy" weeds, if they are stressed their pores close up and don't absorb the spray as well.
Would also recommend adding some kind of surfactant to break up the surface tension on the leaves, we use several different brands of metholated seed oils. 2 oz/gal of water for the glypho, and 1 oz/gal of the wetting agent, and if you want to impress the neighbors and feel like you have accomplished something, add some blue dye.

 

[PabloVTA]

vinegar....

seriously. My wife did it on our patch in the back yard around our raised garden bed and it works perfectly.

How to Use Vinegar & Salt As a Weed Killer

 

[JohnVee]

Vinegar has a decent track record around our house. Chemicals are still faster and longer lasting, though.

 

[snobdds]

You mean, your driveway never needs grading to smooth out the bumps and potholes. Tell me your secret.

I have a long gravel driveway and about 4 times a year I have to bust out the land plane and rework the gravel. It does a fantastic job of removing any weeds as well.

 

[FLATU8ER]

OK, generic vs. name brand - neither will leach into the soil under normal conditions and use. Vinegar is an acid and can be used as an additive to acidify your solution. So can a product put out by miracle grow called mir - acid, it is used for azaleas and camellias out west and those areas that have highly calcareous soils. (high pH due to calcium and high salts and other problems).
A surfactant to put in lay mans terms, makes water "wetter", it reduces water tension. Ivory liquid soap will do the same thing in small amounts. A surface - active - agent ie: surfactant will spread the water droplet so that each droplet (of spray solution) covers more area.
Additionally it depends on what part of the country you live in. Hot dry climates will produce plants with a thick(er) waxy cuticle that helps the plant retain moisture during times of heavy transpiration. So living out in the west, with our water pH's in the 7+ range, and the types of adaptations the plants have developed, we will use an acid or buffering agent to lower the acidity to cut through the waxy cuticle.
So Canman, do you have access to a local Pest Control Advisor (PCA) or Certified Crop Consultant (CCC).
Additionally, you can contact a local Ag Chem company and speak to a sales man (who will have some kind of certification to work in his state)who can direct you to the proper usage based on your conditions in your area (which I think is in the NE).
PM me if you have any questions, I spent 20+ yrs in Ag and 13 as a PCA (in Calif) before I became an LEO.

 

[Weedhopper]

In the spring apply a generous shot of a weed pre emergent like Preen. Treflan is a professional variety you can buy without a pesticide license

A 40 pound bag costs about $60 and one trip down the driveway should consume one bag I am guessing.

Apply when the stone is dry and take a walk up and down the driveway with a backpack blower to get the material to move off the rocks and to the ground.

I have a stone driveway and this process eliminates about 80% of the weeds

 

[e9999]

Oddly, I just used another glyphosate herbicide, cheaper than roundup for the same concentration. But to my surprise, it did not work as fast or as effectively as Roundup. Don't know why that would be.

 

[Weedhopper]

Look at the label big box stores sell " roundup" glyphosate , in different strengths

No matter the brand name look for about 42% glyphosate

Née iPad doesn't allow punctuation but you get the idea

 

[bkfj40]

I pick up the generic glyphosate at tractor supply and use a sprayer in the bed of my hilux. I have a wand and also put in a sprayer that I clamp to the bumper....


but that is really no fun...

How To Make A Legal Homemade Flamethrower

is where it is at...

 

[pillguy]

Man.... kids today have it so lucky
Can you imagine the fun we could have had if we were teenagers and had YouTube and the intenet? Potato guns, flamethrowers, all we needed then were plans for a light duty LOL!

 

[Music Man]

We didn't need the internet to tell us what to do with carbide or cherry bombs.