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.
- 1Using pre-emergent chemicals
- 2Applying landscape fabric underneath rocks
- 3Using a thick layer of cedar mulch
- 4Using a propane torch
- 5Hiring a gardener
- 6Cut weeds low and apply a strong vinegar, salt, and soap mixture before adding fabric and gravel
- 7Use biodegradable cardboard beneath the gravel to kill everything underneath
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“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 ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 47How to get rid of creeping weeds without breaking roots
- 2How to grow grass over shallow rocks or bedrock
- 2Cracked polymeric sand and weeds in a new paver patio
- 4How to fix yard erosion without a major landscaping overhaul
- 4How to clear thick grass overgrowing a paved driveway
- 3How to prep a garden bed after removing weeds and gravel