Reclaiming the gravel drive and lot

[Industrial Toys]

The biggest problem (I found) was along edges. You rake and disturb the vegetation along the side of the driveway (1000 foot in my case) and now you have introduced more organic material to the gravel.

I only drive at the extremes of the driveway and instruct others to do the same. (Amazing how peoples brains are like sieves though).

 

[yanmars]

I saw once where there was a steamer (steam tool) that killed all vegetation supposedly to the roots. No chemicals except water converted to steam.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I wouldn't want to be some critter scalded to a slow death by steam because you don't want weeds growing in your gravel. Think a little about others!

 

[mikester]

Another trick I've heard is to spread out rock salt; that grass/weeds dont want to grow in salty gravel. Anyone tried this?

The county dumps tons of salt on the roads each year and it doesnt stop the grass from growing on the gravel shoulders.

Pickling vinegar at least 10% concentrate works and is less nasty To your health than herbicide.

 

[deezler]

The county dumps tons of salt on the roads each year and it doesnt stop the grass from growing on the gravel shoulders.

Pickling vinegar at least 10% concentrate works and is less nasty To your health than herbicide.

Hmm, good point. We go through a lot of 5% white vinegar at my house, wife likes to use it in home made cleaning supplies. I left some in my unheated garage last winter.... it froze/expanded and pushed off the top, leaking a half cup or so onto my garage floor. By the time I found it, it had eaten right through my acrylic floor sealer, and etched holes into the concrete! So yeah, that should kill some weeds easily enough, lol.

 

[Mat4644]

I wait until after a decent rain and lightly grade with a blade or boxblade. It will disrupt the growth and it will dry out and die. Plus smooth out any depressions. Do it when it's hard packed and dry is like grading concrete.

 

[Egon]

Nitrogen fertilizer heavily applied will work.

 

[Mat4644]

Salt only kills weeds at very high concentrations. This is why there isn't huge kills from road salt. Vinegar to be effective needs to be at a high concentration. The off the shelf around 5% type is only mildly effective. My sister who refuses to use Roundup gets 20% vinegar and mixes with salt and dish soap.

 

[The Fred]

I have the same tractor and use a cheap 6 foot County Line box blade to weed my driveway. Get yourself a hydraulic top link from Michigan Iron so you can carry more product in the box or release more product without getting off the seat. You can even use a hydraulic side link to get your angle better for water runoff.

Of all the implements I have the stupid box blade is the easiest one that works without making too much mess. I roll mine afterwards and it stays firm very well.

 

[MattEverest]

Thanks guys. Yep. Hydro top link is on the list. We’ve tried the vinegar and salt concoction with no luck.