How to stop weeds in a rock garden
Weeds inevitably breach standard landscaping fabric and grow through decomposed granite if pre-emergent isn't applied consistently. This forces homeowners to constantly buy replacement mulch and spend hours hand-pulling unwanted growth just to keep the yard looking clean.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using pre-emergent chemicalsDid this help you?
- 2Applying landscape fabric underneath rocksDid this help you?
- 3Using a thick layer of cedar mulchDid this help you?
- 4Using a propane torchDid this help you?
- 5Hiring a gardenerDid this help you?
- 6Cut weeds low and apply a strong vinegar, salt, and soap mixture before adding fabric and gravelDid this help you?
- 7Use biodegradable cardboard beneath the gravel to kill everything underneathDid this help you?
- 8buying extra rock volume to account for gaps between stonesDid this help you?
- 9mixing different stone sizes like 3/4 inch and 1-2 inch rocksDid this help you?
- 10going to the dump to dispose of themDid this help you?
- 11creating a raised bed by adding higher edging and dumping soil on top of the rocksDid this help you?
- 12putting them in a couple of buckets for a future projectDid this help you?
- 13Pulling up the fabric in sections and planting shade-loving plants like hostas or fernsDid this help you?
- 14Using a propane torch to burn out everything and installing crushed graniteDid this help you?
- 15Removing the rock and landscape fabric entirely and replacing it with mulch or concreteDid this help you?
- 16Switching to angular gravel or cypress mulchDid this help you?
- 17Solarizing the soil with clear plastic for a few weeks before applying rock.Did this help you?
- 18Applying a 3-inch base layer of compacting rock beneath the decorative rocks.Did this help you?
- 19Using a thick layer of interlocking rocks instead of rounded pebbles.Did this help you?
- 20Abandoning the rock idea entirely and planting a low shrub heavily mulched with wood chips.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Desperate to make this space look nice without spending a fortune or needing to put a lot into maintaining it.”source ↗
“The reason you have this mess in the first place is because of the landscape fabric and river rocks.”source ↗
“Rather have no growth. Out of town for long periods of time.”source ↗
“weeds were impossible to control, I was spending a fortune on mulch I’m just walking on, etc etc.”source ↗
“Decomposed granite will still let weeds through eventually unless you're on top of it with pre-emergent, fabric's a waste of time”source ↗
“I have this excavated area in my backyard where I want to install a paver patio, but it's filled with grass and weeds that are pretty aggressive.”source ↗
“Do I need to completely eradicate the weeds and grass here, or can I cut them low then put down landscaping fabric and gravel?”source ↗
“Ive done this exact thing and the weeds always find a way back through if you dont kill them first. fabric and gravel alone wont stop the really aggressive stuff”source ↗
“You will get weeds growing in them that are a pain to remove, they will eventually settle into the ground or just gradually be covered up by dirt and debris.”source ↗
“The previous owner of my house did the same thing and I hate it. It's basically half buried rock at this point and looks terrible and has been a massive pain to remove.”source ↗
“It's all covered in grass and weeds despite the rock and weed barrier. It always looks dead though because it still can't grow well with the rocks.”source ↗
“previous owner filled the bed with rocks in order to avoid maintenance which caused an HOA violation :(”source ↗
“i would rlly like to start a small garden on it but i'm not sure what to do w the rocks. Does anyone have any suggestions where to dispose them or just how to deal w them in general?”source ↗
“I’m in the process of removing rock from my garden beds bc I have had it with pulling weeds that grow 24/7 from the slippery unstable surface.”source ↗
“I laid down some barrier fabric and white rock previously. That didnt stop growth of from occurring, currently clearing all plant and trees.”source ↗
“Looking for a very low maintenance solution. Would just like rock with some spotlights shining up.”source ↗
“Not big on using herbicide as got kids and pets, never used it before.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2How to stop weeds between fences and sheds without chemicals
- 112How to get rid of creeping weeds without breaking roots
- 2How to grow grass over shallow rocks or bedrock
- 4How to keep grass out of flower beds
- 5Cracked polymeric sand and weeds in a new paver patio
- 8How to get rid of a bunch of old landscaping rock