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Driveway weeds taking over

dnstannardHNEeiXYldnstannardHNEeiXYl Posts: 5
in Problem solving
We have just moved to a house with a large frontage ( 15m x15m) which is laid with Cotswold gravel. Unfortunately next door has a large sycamore tree. The frontage is now being taken over by the seeds from this tree. They are now starting to shoot.  Can someone advise me on how to deal with this in the short and longer term. 

Posts

  • BlueBirderBlueBirder Posts: 212
    I'd start by pulling up the seedlings, before they root too much and get too established... I don't use weedkiller, but weeding chipped areas is very laborious by hand, especially one 15mx15m! I don't think there's much you can do to prevent the seeds settling though. Someone else can probably advise you on a chemical control method, if that's your bag.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Pull them up or rake or hoe them while they are still small and easy to get out. This will need doing every year, as long as the tree keeps seeding.
  • BlueBirderBlueBirder Posts: 212
    Raking/hoeing them out is a good call. If you do it on a hot day, they'll dry out and die.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree - a session with a hoe now and again will keep them at bay. 
    If you don't want to do that, there are weedkillers which are for use on gravelled areas which keep them at bay for several months. I've not used them though, so can't recommend any, but most GCs and DIY stores will have them. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    OH does ours with one of those double edged hoes from the Wolf collection
    https://www.worldofwolf.co.uk/categories/multi-change-tools?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgYSTBhDKARIsAB8KukvdByfagJivdQ6Cl8U9CdFqbpj7Yarf-Xi_ByvBx3VfV3GlpAtYLYcaAlpNEALw_wcB/product/wolf-garten-multi-change-small-push-pull-weeder-10cm/RFM10~RFM10   Comes in 10 and 15 cm widths and you can use a short handle for on your knees or a long one for standing up.

    We have 2 large gravelled areas - the drive and a 20 x 30m I want to turn into a dry garden - and I'm considering a flame thrower to burn things off.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I occasionally use a weedkiller specifically for gravel/parking areas which keeps it 'clean' for about six months or so. You just have to mix it and sprinkle it on with a watering can kept specially for weedkillers only.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • dnstannardHNEeiXYldnstannardHNEeiXYl Posts: 5
    Thanks for your replies. I will throw a “hoe ing” party. 
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