How can I permanently eliminate stubborn grass/weeds?

Question

I need either chemicals that comes in either powder or liquid forms that will eliminate stubborn grass that keeps growing from under my interlocking blocks.

Answer 1

Hit it with any defoliant like Roundup...gas is too expensive. You might also do a web search for "Howard Garret - the Dirt Doctor". He's a local guy in Dallas-Ft. Worth who has many organic solutions for getting rid of weeds.

Answer 2

Some grass and weeds will always grow between block paving no matter how well they are laid, but poorly laid paving can be a nightmare.

Block pavers should be laid on a well compacted sub-base (road planings, sand, crushed limestone etc). Use of a water permeable membrane (landscape fabric)is also a benefit for reducing weeds.

If done correctly the weeds will only be able to grow in a very shallow accumulation of soil and dust particles that collect between the pavers. This layer of soil should be so insignificant that weeds can often be swept away with a broom.

Unfortunately, the problem as you describe it may require the application of chemicals or even fire through the use of gas or diesel. I would strongly reccomend avoid using the fire method due to the risk of polluting nearby soil.

You should consider carefully if the financial costs of these chemicals over time are worth it. But you should also look to protect the environment if you can. Many of these weed killers are made by large multi-national companies that are creating problems all over the planet. I wouldn't want to be buying any products from these businesses, but the choice is yours.

Best of Luck

Special Raoul

Answer 3

The reason you keep having this problem is twofold - grass has runner roots that run along and then send up shoots wherever air and water is in supply - ie. gaps. Weeds send out millions of seeds to ensure the continuation of the species. Together you have a tough enemy. Pull out all the weeds and grass you can see (try and get the roots as well) and especially the plants that haven't yet flowered or are about to. Then make up a strong solution of dishwashing salt. 'Water' your blockpaved area about once a week for about a fortnight/three weeks (to kill off any remaining roods and the seeds that may have landed and germinated). Once you are satisfied you have no more weeds growing, spread out a cement product for filling in the gaps and ensure this is well bedded in. The whole process may take a month or two - but it's worth it in the long run and makes future maintenance minimal/non-existant.

Answer 4

Dont use chemicals - costly and harmful.
Cover the ground with a membrane (like Mypex) which allows the water through but keeps the light out.
Leave it down for anything up to a year.
All the weeds will be dead & gone, making dealing with the ground MUCH easier, and weeds will not come back so readily.

Sorry - I don't know what "interlocking blocks" are - so this may be completely unhelpful!
(Maybe a weed torch, gas thingy, if it's on concrete!!?)

Answer 5

The only powder that comes to mind is a product called Rout. It is a pre-emergent that stop grass and weeds from starting to grow. I'm in Australia and that is what it is called here. May be different where you are. Just look for any product that is a pre-emergent. You will have to kill the weeds first with round-up before putting the Rout down. Good luck.

Answer 6

I agree with the gasoline part. Or substitute kerosene. However i would suggest that you not use the match/ lighter option. Both these liquids are not just flammable, but they have a neat little tendency to explode. Which to some, like myself, would be a bonus, Were it not for common sense of course.
Gasoline will kill it on contact, and will seep below the ground to kill the roots and hidden networks. And it will keep anything else from growing for a long time. Its what the EPA calls a POLLUTANT ... .. might be illegal...gasp!!!!!
If you just pour some gas, light it up, and survive, the flames will eat up the surface material and the gas. Leaving less to seep into the ground. Preventing it from doing some really hard-core killing.

Answer 7

I recommend the Dragon torch method...using a specialized wand hooked up to a propane tank you simply burn to ashes any and all groing plants in the cracks. Dead roots will rot. If you have a lot of weeds and grasses you may consider taking up your block, sterilizing the area with a chemical herbicide, puting down a weed barrier and then resetting your block. I like seeing the weeds turn into crispy cinders and float away into the air. Try it....it will give you satisifaction for sure.

Answer 8

Is there a reason you can not do this naturally and not with chemicals?

For any unwanted grass, weed, etc all you have to do is kill the root structure. You can kill the root structure by blocking sunlight, thus killing the plant.

In the past I have just layed out an old piece of carpet and lay that carpet down over the offending ground cover. Wait a few weeks, it will die.

Answer 9

an inexpensive way is to use hot water and vinigar. This combo melts off the protective coating on the weed and grass and dies pretty quickly and if you soak it pretty good the vingar works on the roots. Weeds and grass always have a way of coming back though. I've used this method for about 6 years and find it works pretty good and costs about 3 bucks. Make sure the water is as close to boiling as it can be when you use it. Be careful and good luck.

Answer 10

If the stubborn grass/weeds is in your lawn and bothering your bermuda or carabao grass, the best thing to do is re do your grass. Remove all, change your garden soil & cover it with black plastic. Then put holes in the plastic enough to accommodate the bermuda or carabao grass or any ground cover plants that you will plant.After a few months, your ground cover will completely cover the plastic and the weeds won't be able to grow out.