I just had some young cedars planted with my neighbor, but now I've got a patch of land that's completely overtaken by weeds. I'm considering buying a membrane and laying down gravel or wood chips over it. Here are my questions:
1) Should I remove the weeds before laying down the membrane, or can I just cover them up?
2) I've heard about a weed killer that involves vinegar, salt, and a bit of soap. If I decide to use this mixture, will it harm the cedars? Can they absorb the vinegar through their roots and suffer any effects? Thanks for your advice!
2 Answers
Honestly, covering weeds with gravel isn’t the best choice because it retains too much heat around the tree roots. I’d skip the weed fabric too; it just becomes a hassle once it breaks down. You’d be better off just mulching directly. It'll help keep the soil healthy and your cedars happy!
Using that homemade vinegar mix could really mess up your soil and hurt your cedars. It's best for tough spots like sidewalks, not for areas where you’ve got plants growing. If it seeps into the soil, it could harm your cedar trees pretty badly. I'd suggest pulling the weeds out by hand instead. It’s tough, but since you're planning to add wood chips, it’s a one-time effort that’ll pay off! Good luck!
Thanks for the quick response! I was worried about the salt and vinegar damaging the soil, but I had no idea that stone could be harmful for cedars too!