The grass in your lawn needs loads of TLC to be healthy and green. Weeds on the other hand find their way into places where things shouldn’t be able to grow, like your rockbeds. Despite the soil usually being dry and devoid of nutrients, weeds will self sow and grow. Which leads to the question, “How do I control weeds in rock beds?”
What can be done about these pesky invaders?
Weed Proof Bed:
The best method of prevention is building a weed proof bed when landscaping is established. Before an area is filled with rocks it will need to be lined; so that weeds will not have a place to establish roots. If weeds do sprout, they will be easily removed since there is no soil to hold it.
Plastic Tarps:
Plastic tarps are an inexpensive option. The plastic is slow to degrade; meaning it is generally easy enough to cut to the size and shape of the space. This option is especially great for an area that doesn’t get any foot traffic since the rocks can slide around on the tarp if not well packed. Like the weeds, the rain also is not able to reach the soil below and runs off. It is dependent on the layout and design of your property as to whether or not that poses an issue but it is something to keep in mind when using a plastic tarp.
Landscape Fabric:
A more commonly used option is one that was made specifically for this problem. It is called Landscape Fabric. Like a plastic tarp, it can be easily manipulated to fill a space. Landscape Fabric is much thinner and lighter in weight than the tarp. Once laid down it is easy to cut out holes to add vegetation to bed as desired. There are various types of Landscape Fabric. Some are designed to allow drainage for the rain.
When comparing the two options above, it is important to note that the plastic tarp is generally a few dollars whereas the Landscape Fabric is sold by the roll and ranges from $30-$100+.
Non-Selective Herbicide:
If you are struggling with weeds in an established rock bed that missed its opportunity to have a weed barrier when established and you don’t want to spend the time redoing the bed, you have some options. Treating the weeds with a non-selective herbicide is one of them. This will kill anything growing in the bed. It should not be used near favorable plants.
How a Program Can Help:
We offer a rock bed weed control program at Erbert Lawns. With our Weed Kill Rocks service you’ll receive monthly visits so that you never have to worry about the weeds again. The consistency of treatments is designed to prevent weeds entirely by preventing them from germinating. This program really helps to control weeds in rock beds. If we are hired to take on a rock bed that has established weeds, there is some work required on the client’s end . Once sprayed all the weeds and any other unfavorable plants that have found a home amongst the rocks will die in a week or less. They do not disintegrate though. Dead weeds will still need to be pulled. The herbicide weakens the root system just as much as the above ground portion of the weeds. They are easier to pull than they would have been prior to the treatment.
The only option we can suggest if none of the above options work is to invest in good quality gardening gloves and some knee pads. You’ll need these for the hand pulling of weeds you’ll need to do consistently for 9 months of the year to keep your rock beds looking fresh so your HOA stops griping at you.
If you have questions about the herbicides used in our treatments or have any other inquiries about lawn care, call or text (303-948-6631) Erbert Lawns today. A friendly voice on the other end of the phone will surely make you smile.
