I'm starting a rock garden in a troubled area of my yard after tearing out a messy setup left by the previous owner. The soil is pretty bad—mostly gravel and some clay—so I'm looking for advice on how to keep the weeds at bay. I've already taken out the old landscape fabric, mulch, and soil, but I'm concerned that the weeds always seem to find a way to thrive. I'd love to hear suggestions on effective weed suppression techniques since I'm not a fan of fabric and am apprehensive about using mulch under the rocks. I've thought about cardboard, but I worry about its durability in this setup. My partner suggested using Round Up occasionally, but I'd prefer other methods if you have them! What's the best way to handle weed control in a rock garden?
1 Answer
Rock gardens can be a real challenge when it comes to weeds. One of the best methods is to select native plants that can compete with the weeds effectively—this way, they can help choke out unwanted growth over time. You might still need to pull weeds now and then, but having those tough plants will minimize your upkeep. Mulching can work, but since you're covering it with rocks, it's not a definitive solution. Maybe consider a light layer of mulch combined with some strong native plants? It might not be completely maintenance-free, but it'll help!
Yeah, I hear you—those low maintenance dreams often get squashed by reality! But native plants can really do wonders in keeping that weed growth down.