Weeds in Gravel? Here’s How to Eliminate Them and Avoid Their Reappearance!

Weeds are everywhere, even in gravel. Their numbers increase even more after summer rains, which can cause you a lot of headaches. So how to avoid this? How to kill weeds in gravel to restore the charm of your landscaping?

Weeds in Gravel

The first thing that comes to mind is to get some herbicide from a food store. But store-bought products aren’t always the best way to solve a problem. They can be effective, but at a cost. We are not talking just about money. Herbicides have negative effects on the environment and pets. You may not notice it, but they can easily accumulate in the soil or spread. So here are the natural solutions to weeds in gravel.

How to Avoid Weeds in Gravel?

If you’re considering a gravel driveway in your garden, first think about preventative measures and maintenance strategies. It’s easier than removing weeds that have already grown. Here they are:

• Canvas to prevent weeds from growing – Weed seeds can be easily spread in the garden by the wind. They penetrate between small stones and grow quickly. To avoid this, apply a protective layer that prevents weed seeds from reaching the soil and germinating. It is installed under the gravel and is therefore not visible. Remember to use fabric (not plastic), which allows water to drain while preventing weeds from growing.
• What thickness for gravel? – Make sure the gravel layer is deep enough to discourage weed growth. It should be 2 to 4 inches/5 to 10 cm deep. This makes it more difficult for weeds to take root in the underlying soil.
• Weed-resistant gravel – Opt for larger, angular gravels rather than small, round pebbles. This type of gravel is less favorable to weed growth and offers fewer opportunities for seeds to set.
• Maintenance – Perform routine maintenance by raking gravel to stop weed growth. Inspect regularly and treat any weeds that appear promptly.

How to Kill Weeds in Gravel?

If you already have gravel and it’s overgrown with weeds, here are the tips and home solutions that will help you get rid of it:

• Vinegar solution – Dilute vinegar in little water and spray emerging weeds. This can damage the foliage and slow down their growth.
• Steam treatment – Use a steam weed-killer that can effectively kill weeds. The high temperature kills both weeds and their seeds.
• Solarization– During sunny months, cover the gravel area with clear plastic. This method method uses the sun’s heat to kill weeds and their seeds. Be careful, as this method can also harm beneficial soil organisms.
• Use baking soda – Mix 10 oz/270g baking soda with 12,5 oz/370ml water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to the weeds.
• Burn unwanted plants – Burning weeds in a gravel area is another possible method of weed control. But it is important to approach this technique with caution because of the safety issues it poses.
• Natural weed killer – You can also use a homemade natural weed killer. Find out how to get rid of weeds permanently in our article on the subject.