I'm struggling with about 6,000 square feet of rocks around my driveway and front yard, and it's completely overrun with weeds—some are even 2 feet tall! It looks like a disaster. I'm torn between removing all of the rocks and laying down landscaping fabric to start fresh, or just using chemicals to treat the weeds and pulling them. Pulling them feels like it might cost around $10k, and I worry they'll just come back after the summer rains. I'd love to know if removing the rocks is even a feasible option (I assume it's about 50-100 tons of material) and if there's a better solution for xeriscaping my yard. The whole situation is affecting my mental health, and I really need to make a change!
3 Answers
The only surefire way to prevent weeds completely is to use solid materials like paving or concrete. Otherwise, consider spraying with a decent weed killer once or twice a year to keep things manageable. If you don't want to tackle it yourself, hiring someone could be the way to go.
For a more eco-friendly approach, maybe skip the chemicals and try a weed torch instead! It can be kind of fun to burn away weeds, just be cautious. If you're in a wildfire area, a concentrated salt/vinegar solution could work, but keep in mind it can render the soil unsuitable for planting afterwards.
Glyphosate (like Roundup) can work, but let a professional handle the heavy first treatment since it’s so overgrown. Then you can grab an ag sprayer for DIY maintenance later on. It's a good idea to plan for 1-2 years to get things weed-free. You might try using a propane torch to swiftly deal with persistent weeds too—just be careful and have boots and a hose nearby!