Weeds

[RachelR]

I don't know anything about this install so for what this is worth...for me and my garden things like this would drive me crazy every time I looked at it. And down the road when the fabric starts appearing as it often does I would really be upset. Easier to fix sooner than later. But your call. You can do it in sections. If weeds are appearing on edges and seams mainly you can do those areas. Push the rocks aside, cut out the exposed fabric, throw down the sand and push the rocks back. You don't have to remove all the rocks, all the fabric, all at once.

Also, the overlap by 6" thing...plant roots won't even notice that and have no problem growing around it. It's even good for the plants because the fabric acts as a mulch. The idea with this overlap thing is you'd be stopping plants, I guess seeds, in the soil from germinating and coming up through the fabric. But established plants like bermuda grass would have no trouble. Seed germination will still happen on top of the fabric. It's part of the marketing..."You don't want weed seeds growing do you?" "Why no, I don't."

The fabric is overlapped probably closer to 8”, and it’s not just at the seams, it’s everywhere.

 

[Lisak1]

It appears that many of the weeds are coming from the top - dirt collects on top of the weed barrier and seeds can grow there. You could try using a solution of vinegar, dish soap (like Dawn) and water and spraying the weeds when the sun is the hottest. That will kill most anything, especially weeds that aren't growing in ideal conditions (i.e., with roots deep in the soil).

 

[RachelR]

I will definitely try this. It’s going to be a pain if we have to pull them out all the time.

 

[Tula]

Ugh, I think we've all done battle with weeds ! @Lisak1 what a neat idea to make "sheet mulch" with cardboard, quite interesting.

We have a bed that runs the length of our driveway, planted with Alleghany Viburnum. Last year the bed was filled with weeds and I simply could not keep up with them. This year we put lots of fresh dirt and mulch, then sprinkled Preen. Weeds still popped up, so I get very close to them and give them a short spray of ( GASP ! ) Round Up. I know, I know, it's supposed to be terrible, but I was simply going crazyzy! I wear long sleeves, pants and gloves and just spray a little directly on the weed. So far things are looking good and the weeds seem pretty manageable enough to pluck out the occasional one.

I don't use any weed killer in our back yard, due to the pond and our dogs....just lots of fresh dirt and mulch. I love to listen to audio books and will sip coffee, listening to my book, pulling weeds

 

[addy1]

I use round up, we have bumper crops of poison ivy. I keep very strong roundup mixed to spray them. Using a spray bottle.
The last time I got hit with that stuff I was sick for a week.
Even near the ponds I will use it, but it is very targeted spray.

 

[RachelR]

I use round up, we have bumper crops of poison ivy. I keep very strong roundup mixed to spray them. Using a spray bottle.
The last time I got hit with that stuff I was sick for a week.
Even near the ponds I will use it, but it is very targeted spray.

Be careful with that stuff. It has been in the news, and a couple was just awarded a staggering amount of money for the cancer it causes.

 

[addy1]

Be careful with that stuff. It has been in the news, and a couple was just awarded a staggering amount of money for the cancer it causes.

I am very careful, always have been. Fully dressed, gloves etc, and always up wind.

 

[ChrisP]

Be careful with that stuff. It has been in the news, and a couple was just awarded a staggering amount of money for the cancer it causes.

...for people that spray MASSIVE amounts on fields with RoundUp ready seeds.

I'll keep using it, because it's highly effective, a little spritz, and give it a few days...