Driveway weed clearing

[bkenobi]

I have a gravel driveway that's somewhat loose other than in the main traveled path. In the past, I have used roundup to clear the weeds which does work. I prefer to avoid chemicals though, so have considered other options (salt, vinegar, fire, hand pulling, pulling a chain link drag, etc). All of these can work with limited success but I haven't found a solution that really works without a large down side. Chemicals take a long time since I have to spray with my 4 gallon backpack and i do tend to spill a bit on my back (really not ideal!) when putting it on.

This week I tried using my scuffle hoe (aka hula hoe, action hoe, etc) and it really did a good job. But it took forever since it's only 6" wide. I only want to go down 1-2" at most and in the compacted ares that's more difficult. I did a little searching and the closest to a tow behind version is the wheeled version many places sell. I'm sure that helps because the wheel would give some leverage rather than having to put so much force on the wooden handle. But, I guess I was hoping there might be a tool like a box blade with undercutting scarifier teeth (envisioning something like a T-shape used for turning soil). If these exist, I'm not sure what they'd be called so I haven't found anything yet.

Alternately, if there is a different tool that can be drug behind a lawn or compact tractor I'd love to hear about it! No reason to reinvent things if they exist and work for the job. Just to be clear, I don't have a box blade and my driveway is flat and doesn't get ruts so I really don't need one for regrading anything. I was just saying that because it seems like it's close to the need but not really there.

 

[scootr]

I use a small 16g Northern Star weed sprayer. 1 nozzle covers 8-10 ft. I have fit on a Craftsman mower. It currently goes in a golf cart cargo box and connects with alligator clips when needed.

 

[bkenobi]

So you drive around with the wand in hand and spray as you go?

I should mention I also have drug my thatching attachment which loosens the gravel and gives a zen garden look, but does nothing for the weeds.

 

[scootr]

So you drive around with the wand in hand and spray as you go?

I should mention I also have drug my thatching attachment which loosens the gravel and gives a zen garden look, but does nothing for the weeds.

The unit I'm suggesting has both a 20ft hand spray lead and a stationary single rear spray that covers 8-10 ft.
I would use the rear spray for a driveway and the wand for places you can't drive on. I googled it. They have gone up ($) quite a bit - my unit looks similar but has the rear sprayer for like $159-169

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I used my box blade with great success a few weeks ago. Start dragging it where you have plenty of gravel and just drag it around with it all the way lowered. It worked better than I expected.

I have also used a roundup alternative and a weed torch. Weed torch was worthless. Lots of work, lots of gas and the weeds came back looking better than they were, like they had a good spa day.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I have a gravel driveway that's somewhat loose other than in the main traveled path. In the past, I have used roundup to clear the weeds which does work. I prefer to avoid chemicals though, so have considered other options (salt, vinegar, fire, hand pulling, pulling a chain link drag, etc). All of these can work with limited success but I haven't found a solution that really works without a large down side. Chemicals take a long time since I have to spray with my 4 gallon backpack and i do tend to spill a bit on my back (really not ideal!) when putting it on.

This week I tried using my scuffle hoe (aka hula hoe, action hoe, etc) and it really did a good job. But it took forever since it's only 6" wide. I only want to go down 1-2" at most and in the compacted ares that's more difficult. I did a little searching and the closest to a tow behind version is the wheeled version many places sell. I'm sure that helps because the wheel would give some leverage rather than having to put so much force on the wooden handle. But, I guess I was hoping there might be a tool like a box blade with undercutting scarifier teeth (envisioning something like a T-shape used for turning soil). If these exist, I'm not sure what they'd be called so I haven't found anything yet.

Alternately, if there is a different tool that can be drug behind a lawn or compact tractor I'd love to hear about it! No reason to reinvent things if they exist and work for the job. Just to be clear, I don't have a box blade and my driveway is flat and doesn't get ruts so I really don't need one for regrading anything. I was just saying that because it seems like it's close to the need but not really there.

If you have a truck, place the backpack sprayer on the tailgate and slip your arms through the straps. I never spill weedkiller down my back that way. I also wear rubber gloves.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Oops, I missed that you said you DON'T have a box blade...

 

[bkenobi]

I looked at a box blade when I got the tractor but the driveway was the only thing I would use it on. The scarifier teeth seem to be spread out enough that I'd have to go over it many times to get full coverage to remove the weeds at the roots. The thatcher does basically the same thing with flexible teeth and I find it does a mediocre job. I suppose if the box were lowered to cut into the gravel it would do more, but then I'd be grading and as I said I don't really need that. I found that the driveway is crushed on the top but a couple inches down it's bigger crushed (~3" stone) so I try to avoid going too deep with the thatcher. I imagine I'd lift a lot of heavier material if I went with a box blade!

 

[Tomtint]

weed season up here is late June through mid September. We don't have weed issues in our gravel road but the lawn and flower beds are a different story. I have tried everything from professional services to fertilise the lawn to saying screw it Ill do it myself ...Both scenarios have had similar results. Weeds win. I have had decent results with Tenasity herbicide.. It kills virtually everything but grass ..just very slowly. The granular store bought weed and feeds , crab grass control etc.. I find are a boom - bust proposition. Lawn looks good for about 3 weeks and then is hungry again and the weeds creep back in. Just last week I treated the lawn with a liquid weed and feed via a 25 gal tank I put behind my tractor.. after just a few days the weeds are visibly dying off so Im somewhat hopeful for its effectiveness. . As far as the OP question.. I would consider investing in a tank sprayer and towing it behind a ate, tractor or lawn mower.. Very fast, very easy, and from what I see ..effective.

 

[bkenobi]

I've considered tow behind before because walking back and forth to spray ~3 tanks takes forever. I'm a little concerned about wind getting the stuff on the lawn or plants right next to the driveway which has been the main reason I haven't gone any further with it. I've been here for almost 13 years and I've kinda thrown in the towel doing it that way! I usually spend a whole day a couple times a year walking the driveway complete coverage and all of the planters spot spraying. I'm ok with the planters, but the driveway takes FOREVER. The other thing is, doesn't cleaning the tank on those tow behinds take a while and if not done correctly the seals will be eaten prior to the next usage?