Decorative stone, weeds coming through and stone disappearing

chickey

Hi

Had some lawn area replaced with decorative stone years back. Not sure exactly how done, may not be any weed block or plastic under the stones. Weeds are coming through and stone seems to be sinking into soil. How best to refresh with new stone? Thinking builders plastic? Maybe leave on top for a bit to cover weeds n later buy new stones and put under them? Suggestions welcome

Thanks

mrslancaster

We had that problem. The builders put pebbles in the narrow strip around the shed. As a diy solution someone suggested pulling up the weeds then pouring vinegar over the pebbles. It works ok but needs to be repeated because the weeds come back but we found it easier than removing all the pebbles, fitting plastic and putting in new pebbles.

looksee

Don't put in plastic, it will hold water and turn the whole thing into a manky puddle. This is one situation where weedkiller is appropriate. Or pull up the weeds manually. You generally need to top up pebbles after a couple of years, clear the weeds then put some more pebbles on. If you wanted to go to the trouble of taking the pebbles out you could put a layer of weed suppressing membrane under them, but be careful to fold under the edges or you will get frayed bits of membrane showing round the edges, which looks terrible.

wildwillow

It wouldn't take very long to clear those weeds manually. A flame thrower or boiling water would also solve the problem. Even raking the stones should be enough to dislodge that weed.

Don't use vinegar, salt or bleach as they will leach into the water course. Weed killer is almost more acceptable.

Clareman

Head to your local cash & carry/catering supplies, 5l of white vinegar for about €5, mix in cup or so of salt and half a cup of washing up liquid in a sprayer, spray and they'll be gone in less than a day (assuming no rain), do it twice a year and you'll be grand, only really does the leaves so the roots might be left (depending how deep). Alternatively weedkiller like Roundup/Gallup, spray and they'll be gone. Personally with small children and pets I do the vinegar, I love the smell, reminds me of the chipper :D

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123585144#Comment_123585144

Don't use vinegar, salt or bleach as they will leach into the water course. Weed killer is almost more acceptable.

Both bleach or vinegar would react with the stones/soil and wouldn't be bleach or vinegar by the time they got to the water table. I'd feel safer using those than weedkiller.

As mentioned above, I often use the boiling water trick. It's essentially free if you have boiling water left over after making tea or coffee, but it's a spotty job doing it that way.

standardg60

Cowboys Ted, didn't even concrete in the edgings. The 'weed' is Viola, pretty impervious to DIY treatments.

For me, spray off with glyphosate, then rake off the pebble, fit weed membrane as Looksee advises, and replace and top up pebble.

chickey

Thanks everyone. Small enough area did good bit by hand, and might at doing some spraying - just really looking to future proof which is looking weed proof membrane and more stones

Appreciate the advice

Mr Disco

just spray the area with sipquat or paraquat

Bill Hook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123586114#Comment_123586114

Be very careful if you use these. Seeing a dog dying from paraquat poisoning in the vets many years ago led to my complete avoidance of any herbicides.