When you are landscaping your lawn or gravel driveway, one of the most important parts of the project is how to stop weeds from growing in gravel. As a homeowner, if you see your driveway filled with black dirt you can be assured that someone somewhere in your neighborhood is battling weeds in his or her yard. There are many different types of grasses and weeds that can take over an entire yard, making it impossible to enjoy a great lawn. Luckily, there are several very easy ways to fight these invaders and keep them out of your flowerbeds and other vulnerable areas. These ideas will help you to keep your yard looking fresh and green.
The first step towards protecting your gravel driveway from weeds is to make sure that you avoid creating conditions for them to grow. The easiest way to do this is to make sure that any mulch used on the project is washed away at least once each week. Mulch made of wood pulp, leaves, or grass clippings will attract weeds like moths to a flame, so you should make sure that you are not spreading this unwanted plant material. You should also rake up any weeds that you find on the path before you put the mulch back and use a good rake to clear away any excess mulch that is lying around.
Another step towards how to stop weeds from growing in your gravel path is to make sure that you avoid over-watering the area. Watering the soil too much will cause the grass blades to break down, and weeds can quickly take root in this broken down material. You should water the gravel driveway as normal but only enough to get the area moist enough to help the roots develop.
One of the final ways to stop weeds from growing in gravel is to avoid fertilizing the area at all. A layer of fertilizer can actually help encourage the growth of both plants and fungus, making it necessary to refrain from adding any additional organic matter. If you must fertilize your gravel driveway, use one part per 3-inch layer of gravel. Fertilization should be done before you plant anything, and you should use a non-toxic fertilizer to avoid harming your lawn or garden.
One of the most simple methods of how to prevent the spread of weeds in a gravel path is to plant annuals that do not grow too much. Annuals are slow growing and, therefore, they should have few problems competing with other plants for nutrients. An easy way to choose an appropriate plant for your gravel driveway is to look up the Planting Tips section on the internet. This will give you some great ideas that will help you choose which plants are best suited to your gravel path. You may also want to keep an eye out for sales at local nurseries, and speak to friends who also have gravel driveways to see which plants they recommend.
One of the easiest ways to stop weeds from growing in gravel driveways is to simply make sure that they don't get the opportunity to grow. This is often easier said than done, however, so it is recommended that you rake your gravel pathways every few months. This ensures that all of the soil is broken up and no grass or dirt remains. If you live in a particularly busy area, this might mean that you have to mow your gravel paths as well, though this should only be an occasional precaution. Keep in mind that the most effective method of prevention is simply to avoid attracting them in the first place. Avoid putting any sort of mulch or unwanted vegetation onto your gravel paths, and you will be able to rest easy knowing that they won't be spreading across your yard. Discover more about gardening here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardening.
