Best Way to Remove Weeds from Long Rural Driveway….

PeppermintPatty

PeppermintPatty

🐢. 🐳. 🐢
Location
Canada
…..without using poisons.
Some people have gravel all around their house and a long driveway that’s impeccably weed free. I’ve actually considered stopping by and asking them how they do it but I don’t want to be intrusive so thought I’d ask here.

I googled this and my first response was to use Glyphosate which is a poisonous substance that I’m NOT ok with.

Ideally I’d like something that I could use on a Honda ATV . I have found rake like graters that you pull behind but does anyone know of something that attaches to the front?

. I’ve thought of using the snow shovel bucket but it seems like overkill. I don’t want to redistribute too much gravel. 🤔 OR maybe that’s the way people do it.

How do you people with long rural GRAVEL driveways keep them weed free?
 

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Thought about using a Flame Weeder?

Flame weeders are a unique way to kill weeds growing through gravel. A flame weeder is a wandlike implement powered by propane or another heat source. The end of the flame weeder wand heats up to intense temperatures. Rather than set the weeds on fire, simply hold the wand a few inches over the weeds. The heat will destroy the plant cell barriers, killing the weed quickly.

  • Use this propane-fueled flame weeder to kill weeds in gravel quickly.
  • Flame weeders work by heating the air near the weed, killing it.
  • Never use a flame weeder to set fire to weeds—the heat from the flames is enough to kill the plant.
  • Check with local fire authorities to make sure flame weeding is safe and legal in your area.

Flame weeding is an excellent choice for gravel driveways because there are typically no desirable plants nearby. Plus, the risk of fire is often low in gravel areas. However, you should never use a flame weeder during a drought period or when the risk of wildfire is high. Check your local guidelines—flame weeding is not legal in some areas of the Western and Southwestern United States.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Maybe overfill so I found this one. I really really like this idea. Pulling weeds by hand sucks.
https://www.amazon.ca/Flame-King-YS...B09887JK7B/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8
View attachment 288342View attachment 288343
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@PeppermintPatty Looks like that may be an excellent choice for Flame Weeding !!!
I like this review on Amazon for that particular one ...

Ok here's the scoop for controlling weeds. Torching is more cost effective than sprays. Sprays can cost $45+ per bottle and will require multiple bottles/applications whereas a bbq propane tank costs $25 and will last 1.5-2 hours of full-throttle torching. Only use in non-grass, high weed areas, otherwise you'll kill the grass and not just the weeds. Make sure weed is placed a few inches below the bottom arc of the flame (where it's hottest) and run up and down the weed's leaves and stalk for about 3-5 seconds until the weed wilts and turns an opaque colour... no need to fully burn them. Works well to control weeds but takes a lot of patience for mature weeds, and will require follow-up treatments every 1-2 weeks, as the weeds will always start to regrow. This particular model is ideal because it has 500k BTU output (anything less is a waste of time), a 10' hose (anything less is a waste of time), no integrated electric start (which can actually fail after extensive use as it may deteriorate due to proximity of the starter to the flame), a long handle (shorter models will require awkward bending over to use), sturdy construction, and affordable price. Your arms will easily tire during use, so you'll need to switch arms throughout the torching process. Be careful not to get to close to overhead vegetation or nearby screendoors, etc. as they will burn from the indirect heat! Although the throttle lever cannot be locked in place this is for safety reasons on the off chance you lose control of the torch. I find the torch to be very safe to operate and only wear protective prescription eyeglasses... no need for protective gloves and clothing (albeit no harm in being extra careful if you prefer). Once mature weeds are torched (you'll need a grass trimmer to remove the dead stalks of large weeds a few days after torching), it becomes must easier to kill off small regrowth every 1-2 weeks. For faster results for larger weeds don't be afraid to increase the gas flow (you'll still get a good 1 hours worth of torching before needing a refill tank). Don't waste your money on smaller torches unless you are merely burning small weeds between patio stones, etc.
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The take away for me is that Flame Weeding may not kill the weeds entirely and they may return in a couple of weeks, requiring re-treatment. Just isn't as effective as removing the weeds entirely, roots and all ... or maybe using a chemical of some sort which you strongly wish to avoid.
 
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Naturally said:
@PeppermintPatty Looks like that may be an excellent choice for Flame Weeding !!!
I like this review on Amazon for that particular one ...



The take away for me is that Flame Weeding may not kill the weeds entirely and they may return in a couple of weeks, requiring re-treatment. Just isn't as effective as removing the weeds entirely, roots and all ... or maybe using a chemical of some sort which you strongly wish to avoid.
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Listen. It HAS to be better than pulling them out by hand one by one. Within weeks there are new weeds growing from seeds so between this and using the ATV to move gravel around and spray vinegar and salt water, I think our driveway will look much better .

I don’t expect this to kill big weeds instantly but if I do this every 2 weeks and implement the other choices, they don’t stand a chance.

Im also going to order some new topper gravel once I get rid of these weeds so I have a fresh start.

I’m so grateful for the idea. We have so much gravel to tend to that it’s a full time job tending to it and I have better things to do with my time . Plus I’m getting older and this pulling weed stuff is for the birds. 😝 it’s guaranteed to cause a back injury of some sort so thank you. 💕
 
@PeppermintPatty ... one thing I do around the edges of my home and my heat pump is mix 1/2 Clorox and 1/2 water in a pump sprayer. It kills all vegetation and I also use it to kill and clean mildew from the side of the house. It too requires re-treatment every few weeks (or months) for the vegetation and about once a year for mildew mitigation on the sides of the house. Would work along a fence line too I imagine. It does kill whatever the Clorox mix touches. I get generic Clorox cheap at the dollar store. But because of the "chemical" aspect, may not appeal to you or others and that's why I mentioned Flame Weeding, although I would NEVER use Flame Weeding around the edge of the house or heat pump. Too big a chance of damage to house or equipment from flame and heat.
 
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Actuslly I’m doing a bit of power washing as soon as these rainy days end but that’s a great idea for some areas like behind our heat pump that tends to get mildewy.

We don’t have any fence line to worry about but I get the general idea. Any areas you want mildew free this will work.

Another use for the flame weeder is paint melting. Another job I have to do is redo the entire veranda and deck and between this and the power wash, I’ve got this. I’m creating a whole new clean white look with added privacy lattice in places.

I like how one viewer described how he’d rather be over tooled than under and he’s so right. With the right tools, jobs are no longer a tiresome Tedious chore.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
…..without using poisons.
Some people have gravel all around their house and a long driveway that’s impeccably weed free. I’ve actually considered stopping by and asking them how they do it but I don’t want to be intrusive so thought I’d ask here.

I googled this and my first response was to use Glyphosate which is a poisonous substance that I’m NOT ok with.

Ideally I’d like something that I could use on a Honda ATV . I have found rake like graters that you pull behind but does anyone know of something that attaches to the front?

. I’ve thought of using the snow shovel bucket but it seems like overkill. I don’t want to redistribute too much gravel. 🤔 OR maybe that’s the way people do it.

How do you people with long rural GRAVEL driveways keep them weed free?
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Actually, I would take the chance and ask them.

If there's one thing I've learned, people that are enthusiastic about their yards and whatnot looking good usually like to talk about it.

*edit* That's not a knock on yard people. I'm just saying they're proud of their work and probably wouldn't mind sharing.
 
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PeppermintPatty said:

Best Way to Remove Weeds from Long Rural Driveway….​

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I have tried several things, with mixed results.

  1. Glyphosate works best, but as you say it is a poison. It also kills most any plant you get it on, so you have to be careful.
  2. I have tried the fire thing, but I live in a desert where the risk of starting a wildfire is too great to do it often.
  3. One approach is to do nothing but mow the weeds, they don't hurt the driveway's ability to transport vehicles, and can stabilize the gravel a bit. Where I have done this snow plowing gets a bit easier, the gravel is less likely to get plowed if it has a good vegetative mat. Also goatheads are our most obnoxious weed, they grow back very quickly after killing or plowing, however if left alone the other weeds crowd them out a bit, so doing nothing actually reduces the worst weeds.
  4. Another version of #3 is to plant clover in the gravel. It will grow, and looks a bit better than weeds. Does a good job of crowding the goatheads out too.
  5. Finally parts of my driveway are road base rather than gravel. Weeds don't seem to grow as well in that as gravel.
I am doing some of all five right now. However this year I am doing more letting weeds grow and less glyphosate. I also seeded some clover a month or so ago, in parts of the driveway closer to my house.

Good luck with it, a never ending battle, unless you pave...
 
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I've heard some that use salt, vinegar, even old motor oil...I've always used glyphosates, I bought a $300 sprayer that attaches behind my mower, I hate having to do this job, it works best to do it in the hottest time of the year and I cover up from head to toe to prevent getting that stuff on my skin, so it's a tough job and I'd be interested in finding an alternative too, if there is one.
 
Goats would be ideal, alpacas work. 😉 but I'd have to borrow them from the neighbors and have them back home by dark.

I use a flame thrower for dry standing weeds but I take fire control precautions, plus I have to be careful and flame small patches and let the smoke dissipate, so that some neighbor doesn't call the fire Dept. :rolleyes:
I built a yard drag that I tow with the truck to clear larger areas of the property....

weed-drag.JPG
 
Ideally I’d like something that I could use on a Honda ATV . I have found rake like graters that you pull behind but does anyone know of something that attaches to the front?

There are little tillers for ATVs, and some do attach to the front.

atv tiller.jpg

And there's also these:

a hand-tiller.jpg

Depends how wide a swatch you need to clear.

In any case, after you till it, remove a couple inches depth of dirt, then level the ground with a rake and cover it all with sheets of black gardening plastic - Polyethylene Sheeting - so the weeds won't come back, and spread your gravel on that.
 
Patty, there are a number of nice looking plants that prevent weeds and prevent erosion of the dirt so the gravel stays put. You could line your drive with one or more of them.

Lamb's Ear gets nice and thick and doesn't require a lot of care. Creeping Mazus, Creeping Thyme and Creeping Phlox get pretty flowers on them. Sweet Woodruff and Clematis do, too, and they don't get very tall...about 5 or 6 inches. There's also a few grasses and clovers that crowd weeds out pretty quick and prevent them coming back...Crimson Clover is a good one.
 
Michael Z said:
There are other things hard on weeds besides glysophate. Like vinegar or some homemade organic weed killing solution.
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Vinegar , salt and a bit of dishwashing liquid works good but then I’m left with big dead weeds. I think a rotation of some of these ideas will work best than one solution only.
 
Gary O' said:
I've found that a thick load of 3/4 crushed gravel, ran over with heavy equipment to seat it, can sure slow the growth and gravel migration
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Is crushed gravel the same as pea gravel?
And does it look like this ? Note: this is a mixture of different sizes. IMG_9856.jpeg
 
@PeppermintPatty

Small batch but you can increase it:

Weed Killer
1 qt. White Vinegar
2 Tbsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Dawn Dish Detergent

Spray this on a hot sunny day. You may have to do more than once but it will kill the weeds for a long time.
Be careful where you spray because after a while nothing will grow there.
 
Murrmurr said:
Patty, there are a number of nice looking plants that prevent weeds and prevent erosion of the dirt so the gravel stays put. You could line your drive with one or more of them.

Lamb's Ear gets nice and thick and doesn't require a lot of care. Creeping Mazus, Creeping Thyme and Creeping Phlox get pretty flowers on them. Sweet Woodruff and Clematis do, too, and they don't get very tall...about 5 or 6 inches. There's also a few grasses and clovers that crowd weeds out pretty quick and prevent them coming back...Crimson Clover is a good one.
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Creeping red thyme is gorgeous and something we are getting for our back garden area . There’s grass as well so it’s mow- a- ble. The weeds in the driveway aren’t mowable but the area gets ploughed with an ATV in the winter. I’ve had ground clematis before and it’s gorgeous but I’d have to move the rocks to dig a huge hole to plant the clematis so it grows well. Then the rocks will have soil mixed it in so more weeds would grow. That would drive me nuts and I’m nuts enough as it is.

I decided to take a photo to show the main types of plants I have growing in the gravel.
IMG_9854.jpegIMG_9855.jpeg
 
Gary O' said:
I use pea gravel to fill my dry wells
It's round
It doesn't knit together like crushed

3/4 crushed has sharp irregular edges
knits well
doesn't migrate if tamped down

View attachment 288392
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Thanks Gary. Those bigger rocks are what most of our driveway is made up of. I like your idea of getting smaller stuff to mix with it and then packing it down. I’d like it so it’s not so easily moved when snow ploughing.

How is your driveway when you plough it or do you use a snow blower?
 

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