Gravel driveways are a popular choice among homeowners because they’re easy to install and are one of the most affordable driveway options.
Additionally, the variety of colors and materials available allows you to create a driveway that perfectly matches your home’s look.
However, after a few years, gravel driveways can become prone to weed growth since the gravel allows weeds access to sunlight and moist soil.
If you notice weeds sprouting in your gravel driveway, it’s important to remove them promptly. You can do this by handpicking, using a weed burner, or applying rock salt.
Although newly installed gravel driveways typically resist weed growth, sediment buildup over time creates an ideal environment for weeds to take root from scattered seeds.
Once weeds establish themselves, they can quickly spread and become difficult to control, diminishing your driveway’s appearance.
While laying down a weed control fabric can help prevent future growth, you’ll first need to put on a pair of sturdy gloves to tackle the weeds that have already invaded your gravel driveway.
Hand-Pulling Weeds
If you only have a small area with weeds, pulling them out by hand is the most effective and budget-friendly method.
Before you start yanking out weeds, water your driveway to soften the soil, making it easier to remove the weeds.
Grab the weed as close to the ground as possible and gently wiggle it until you feel the root start to loosen.
If the weed breaks while you’re trying to pull it out, use a screwdriver, trowel, or garden fork to dig deeper and remove the entire root.
Although it might be tempting to just pull off the visible part of the weed, it’s crucial to remove the root entirely to prevent regrowth.
Other Weed Removal Methods
While handpicking is effective, it can be time-consuming and physically demanding, especially if you’re dealing with a large area overrun with weeds.
Another option is to use rock salt to kill weeds in your gravel driveway. Since rock salt contains sodium, applying it sparingly at the base of the weeds will dehydrate them and disrupt their water intake, causing them to die within a few days.
You can also mix 1 cup of rock salt with 1 gallon of water and transfer the solution to a spray bottle for easy application over the affected areas.
For a more environmentally friendly approach, consider using a weed burner.
This tool is ideal for long driveways and burns the weeds down to the root, preventing them from coming back soon.
Keep in mind that while this method is effective, it can also burn and discolor the gravel stones.
If you prefer not to alter the color of your driveway stones, try mixing undiluted glyphosate with water and applying it with a watering can to eliminate the weeds.