Outside storage for attatchments: How to keep the weeds down?

[Carl_NH]

I built a lean-to with a 10' pallet rack off the back of my barn for storing buckets, grapple, forks etc. had a lot of old used brick that filled most of the base except for the ends where the pallet pads are.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Acetic acid, in a sprayer. The plants don't grow where the pH is too low. Grandma used pickle juice to keep grass and weeds out of her sidewalks. And, if you ever want to plant there, the acid eventually dissipates. The weed killers have a lot longer dwell time.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I made a pad with some heavy clay soil from a pond that was being dug. Then I added landscape fabric on top of the clay, then limestone on top of the fabric.

The fabric DOES NOT keep the weeds from growing, but it does keep the limestone from migrating into the soil.

I spray with Roundup several times a year, but I have a gallon of pramitol that I may try in that area. The problem with a soil sterilant is they will tend to move to off-target areas.

 

[bigtiller]

Pick your new storage spot.
Cut the grass as short as possible.
Lay sacks of wood mulch (still in the sack) on the spot.
Park implement on top of sacks of mulch.
That should keep the growth to a minimum for a few years.

 

[404nouser]

Talk to your local rock quarry, sand quarry, or concrete company and see if you can get some old worn out conveyor belt.
24-36 inch wide rubber with 2-4 layers of belting in it. Much tougher than stall mats.
Other widths may be available, just listing what I've worked with.

 

[JJT]

The expensive stuff, (about one third) is stored inside, another third is parked on a concrete pad and the remainder sits on pressure treated boards. The pt boards also keep things from sinking into the ground.

I tried wood pallets but they rotted out after a couple of years. If you can find plastic pallets that's probably the cheapest non chemical method.

 

[Mark_G]

To keep weeds off my brick walkways, we use baking soda. Costco sells big bags of it. It is cheap, non-toxic, and easy to use. It drops the PH, and lasts quite a while. I would cut the area short and spread this on it. If a weed or two shows up, just put a little more there. Then you can probably forget about it for some time. Add more as needed.

 

[ultrarunner]

I don’t like to spray chems but……

I bought a jug several years ago and spray twice a year, first in spring as soon as green up starts and in mid season to keep ground clean. I use a 15 gal sprayer at about 40 oz of chemical per session.
Will keep area bare for about 6 mos at a time.

PS
Price on chemical has doubled but still provides good burn and residual coverage. Also, I despise TSC management and the direction they are going!

TSC is about the only place I buy weed killer as the local hardware and big box only small sizes at big prices.

What is bad about TSC?

 

[McCaskey]

Like many, I need to store some of my attachments outside. Problem is, keeping the weeds down around them, especially the ones you don't use very often.

Does anyone have any unique ideas for keeping the weeds at bay?

Landscape fabric is far too weak. Round up or other herbacides are a pain as you need to keep applying them.

A big concrete pad would be nice, but too expensive.

I've tried using big heavy livestock rubber matts, but they too are expensive and hard to find used reasonably priced ones.

Any other thoughts?

I use pressure treated plywood, lasting 25 years now.
Plus RM43 from Tractor Supply

 

[nacl9163]

I use big cardboard boxes, the bigger the better. Depending on the thickness, they last pretty long and the cost is nil. Get a good overlap so there are no gaps for the weeds to grow through.