I've got two sections of my property, each around 15x20 meters, that are overrun with weeds. I've trimmed them down, but my landlord insists that the area needs to be restored to a sand surface. Are there any particular tools or methods that you would recommend for completely clearing out the weeds in a large area like this?
6 Answers
You've got a big area to clear, which can become tricky. Nature has a way of filling in empty spaces, so consider what your landlord really wants. If they want a completely pristine sand area, that’s tough to achieve without professional help. But if it's just about clearing living plants, a thick layer of mulch could work temporarily. Just be cautious about using mulch from services like ChipDrop; it might bring in unwanted plants or treated wood.
Clearing weeds can go faster than expected, especially if you tackle it head-on. The cardboard method works well, but if you can dedicate a single day to digging in, you might be able to clear a significant chunk of one area. It looks like a big task at first, but once you start, you'll notice it’s manageable and a lot of weeds come out easily.
I've had success using cardboard to smother weeds. Just collect some boxes and lay them over the weed-infested areas. Weeds will die off without sunlight, and eventually, the cardboard decomposes and turns into dirt, which is pretty eco-friendly. It takes a bit of time, though, so be patient!
You might also consider a mixture of bleach and water to kill the weeds effectively. A 50/50 solution works, but just make sure you're careful with it and keep it away from any other plants or the soil you want to retain.
Don't forget about herbicides! They can be really effective in managing weeds, but make sure to follow the instructions and take precautions.
For a more aggressive approach, you could use a propane weed torch to burn the weeds away. After that, laying down landscape fabric can help keep new weeds from popping up.