Herbicide question ...

Yeah, I hate them too, but let's not open that can o' worms.

I have a section of asphalt driveway that is to be repaved. Long story short, there is an 18-inch wide trench across the drive that I packed with gravel-n-sand as tightly as I could following our home's waterline replacement surgery. Now a local paving company is coming out to repave the drive, including over the trench, which has by now sprouted weeds galore.

The question(s) is/are ...

Do I need to spray these weeds with an herbicide to prevent them from growing back through my driveway?

If so, what can I use that will sterilize the soil so that nothing will ever sprout again and grow up through my drive as has happened elsewhere?

I thank you in advance.

dave

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on May 17, 2008 at 4:17pm

Dave,

If I understand you correctly--new pavement will be placed over the weeds, which should kill them. You can use Round Up--there's a 4 month-lasting one, there's also Burn Out, which is organic--it has 20% vinegar and other ingredients in it--Asheville Agricultural Systems sells it. Another way is to lay clear plastic over any weeds--it will kill them, but it does take some time and sunshine. I have never known a herbicide that is a "forever lasting" sterilization system for weeds.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Marion Buehler on May 19, 2008 at 6:24am

The most permanent thing I know of is salt. (Remember that bit in the Old Testament about people salting their enemys' fields?) Ordinarily I wouldn't recommend salt for weed control because it migrates into areas where you will want to grow something, but under asphalt it should stay put. Don't use too much - maybe 1 oz. - and put it out at the last moment so no rain washes it elsewhere. Actually about the only stuff that comes up through asphalt is puff balls and black locusts.