{"id":10515,"date":"2022-09-29T12:26:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T12:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drivewayplanner.com\/?p=10515"},"modified":"2023-01-06T11:34:09","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T11:34:09","slug":"how-to-permanently-kill-grass-in-gravel-driveway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drivewayplanner.com\/how-to-permanently-kill-grass-in-gravel-driveway\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Permanently Kill Grass In A Gravel Driveway?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the main downsides of a gravel driveway is that it\u2019s easy for grass and weeds to penetrate through to the surface, resulting in an unsightly driveway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we discuss the best way to permanently kill grass and weeds in a gravel driveway. We also have some tips on how to prevent the grass from growing in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Kill Grass In Gravel Driveway Naturally?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While there are herbicides that can permanently get rid of grass growing in your gravel driveway, many homeowners are not comfortable using harsh chemicals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to kill grass and weeds. These are gentler on the environment and will not harm your lawn, plants or pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are five natural materials and methods that permanently kill grass in a gravel driveway. Most of these are DIY and can be done easily with stuff from around your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Salt <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High levels of salt in soil are toxic<\/a> to plants. Too much salt not only kills plants, it can prevent growth for years in the affected area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what makes salt such a great grass killer on gravel driveways. It works by blocking the grass roots from taking up water, gradually dehydrating the grass and eventually killing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mix salt and water in a 1:1 ratio. You can use regular table salt or rock salt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add the water to a spray bottle or a watering can. Apply the water directly on the grass in the driveway. You can also apply it on weeds, moss<\/a> and other plants that have invaded the driveway.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful that the salty water doesn’t come into contact with your lawn or flowers as it\u2019ll also kill them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a few days, you\u2019ll notice the grass start to yellow and dry up. It should die completely in about ten days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grass will not regrow for years where you\u2019ve applied the salty solution, but it could sprout elsewhere on the driveway. To permanently kill grass and prevent more from growing anywhere on the driveway, apply the salty water on the entire driveway.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pull out the grass by hand <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If there are only a few clumps of grass on your driveway, you can easily pull them out by hand. Make sure you pull the grass along with the roots and rhizomes to keep it from regrowing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to clear the gravel around the grass so that you can access the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several kinds of tools to pull out grass and weeds. You can use a weeding knife, a garden spade, a gardening trowel or special weeding tools like this Japanese weeding sickle<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever you use, the goal is to get under the clumps of grass and pull them out by their roots. Dump the clumps in a bucket and dispose of them far away from the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place soil back into the empty hole and re-spread the gravel over the patch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pulling out grass by hand can be tedious on a long driveway, so we recommend it for smaller driveways. You may also need to do it regularly as new clumps sprout up in other areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Boiling water <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Too much heat kills living cells. This is true for animals as it is for plants. That\u2019s why we boil water to kill pathogens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boiling water is also an excellent grass and weed killer. When the hot water comes into contact with the grass leaves and roots, it kills them almost instantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trick is that the water has to be very hot. So you need to boil water in a location as close as possible to where the grass is growing on the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can boil water in a pot but an electric kettle is safer and easier to carry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pour the boiling water directly on the grass that you want to eliminate, being careful that it doesn’t come into contact with your lawn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grass will die off within a couple of days. If it starts producing new blades after some time, repeat the hot water treatment to kill it permanently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For added effectiveness, you can add salt to the boiling water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tip: <\/strong>Be sure to wear gloves, long plants, a long sleeved top and closed shoes to avoid accidental burns from the hot water. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

4. Use the sun\u2019s heat to kill grass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Solarization<\/a> is one of the chemical-free methods used in farms to kill weeds. It works by laying a tarp on the ground, which traps heat underneath it and prevents water from reaching the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plants underneath eventually die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method can also work on a gravel driveway. It is ideal for situations where the driveway is overrun by grass<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solarization kills off a lot of grass in one go without using chemicals. On the downside, it is slow. It takes 2-3 weeks for the grass to completely die. You cannot drive on the driveway during this period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also works best in hot summer months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n