Killing weeds/roots before laying stones
scottWB
Posts: 3
Hi,
I have been trying to find a strong weed killer to apply to an area that was previously covered in stones and membrane but was looking tired and was full of weeds.
I have removed the old stones and membrane as well as turning the soil (It is full of roots!)
The plan was to leave it over winter and relay membrane and stones next year after getting rid of the weeds (Note there are no leaves left just roots)
I have searched far and wide and can’t seem to find something I can apply to the soil to clear up the roots, is anyone aware of such a product?
Banish Weed Killer - Soil Sterilizer seemed to be the only option but that doesn’t seem to be available anymore.
Any help greatly appreciated I really don’t want the weeds to remain once I relay everything!
Last edited: 12 November 2017 09:07:11
Posts
Afraid the answer is to dig it over and remove the roots. Spraying them will have no effect. Weed killers have to be applied to leaves in active growth. If you want to use a herbicide leave it until late spring.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
You need to pick out as many roots as you can by hand. If there are living roots left they may try to sprout. I would wait until late April, spray anything living that shows up then wait a week or two and compact it, put down your membrane and stones.
Thanks for the replies. I was hoping more manual labour wasn’t the only option but it seems to be!
Foolishly I assumed I could buy something to put through the soil that would kill everything and then leave it fallow for 6 months before covering and replanting.
Alas as it seems you get nothing without hard work!
It's cheaper than a gym membership and you'll feel virtuous too
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
i guess so!
Just in case your want another opinion....I wouldn’t take out roots or weed either if you are putting a permanent membrane and stones down. I have never had weeds coming through a membrane. they will germinate in the stones though.
Weeds like nettles, bindweed, creeping buttercup, horsetail will find a way to grow along under the membrane until they find a way up to light and air. The ones with tap roots like thistle, dock and co will try to push up thru the membrane so you need to be careful not to tear it or pierce it when laying and make sure the layer of gravel is thick and even.
The only ones that a weed membrane will reliably defeat are the annual and biennial weeds which won't germinate and grow without some light and haven't the resources in their roots to sustain them while they sen out shoots seeking light.
Even with the membrane and gravel you will get weeds germinating in the path eventually as seeds land but they will be easy to hoe, rake or pull out.