Q. People in this house before
us had grass in the front and in the back. Before selling the property, they
put plastic sheeting over the grass and rocks on top of that. The plastic, I
think, is just keeping everything moist underneath it and the grass and weeds
just keep on coming up.
us had grass in the front and in the back. Before selling the property, they
put plastic sheeting over the grass and rocks on top of that. The plastic, I
think, is just keeping everything moist underneath it and the grass and weeds
just keep on coming up.
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| Weeds growing in a desert landscape.. Developing a good landscape design that minimizes the wet areas in a landscape will help to control weeds. |
A. Putting plastic under
rock mulch is never a good idea. Think of it this way: plastic is temporary.
Rock is permanent. Never put something temporary under something permanent.
rock mulch is never a good idea. Think of it this way: plastic is temporary.
Rock is permanent. Never put something temporary under something permanent.
Putting temporary plastic mulch under permanent rock
mulch always results in plastic emerging through the rocks at some time. This
is unsightly, weeds emerge through holes in the plastic and the plastic
eventually emerges through the rock. This requires the owner to pull the
plastic out from under the rocks to keep it from becoming unsightly.
mulch always results in plastic emerging through the rocks at some time. This
is unsightly, weeds emerge through holes in the plastic and the plastic
eventually emerges through the rock. This requires the owner to pull the
plastic out from under the rocks to keep it from becoming unsightly.
 |
| This is a black plastic that was put under the rock in a rock landscape. Sooner or later the black plastic develops holes and begins to tear or rip. When this happens it begins to emerge from the rock and becomes very unsightly. |
A more effective and permanent mulch under the rock is
made from landscape fabrics. These fabrics are either woven or spun with tiny
holes in them for air and water and have a long durability. They last a lot
longer than plastic.
made from landscape fabrics. These fabrics are either woven or spun with tiny
holes in them for air and water and have a long durability. They last a lot
longer than plastic.
 |
| Nutgrass which is sometimes called nutsedge, a very tough weed to destroy when it gets in your landscape. |
They are expensive compared with plastic. And landscape
fabrics do not prevent Bermudagrass or nutgrass from coming through it, a
couple of very tough weeds to control.
Instead, put down a thicker layer of rock, 3 to 4 inches
deep and no smaller than ½ inch minus. Over time, dirt accumulates in rock
mulch and weeds grow in it but at least they will be easier to pull or kill.
deep and no smaller than ½ inch minus. Over time, dirt accumulates in rock
mulch and weeds grow in it but at least they will be easier to pull or kill.
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| One of the better hoes I have used in rock mulch is the Hula hoe, sometimes called a stirrup hoe or simply scuffle hoe. |
The secret to good weed control is killing weeds as soon
as you see them. During the first year, this requires weekly visits to your
landscape and removing them with a hoe, pulling, using a fire weeder or
chemicals. If pulling them, water the area first and pull them 30 minutes
later. They are much easier to pull.
The first time controlling weeds, knock them all down by
hand, fire or with chemicals and remove any weeds with flowers or seedpods from
the property. In one to two weeks, weeds will come back with a vengeance.
Control these infested areas as soon you see them. The third week, other areas will
emerge with weeds. Control them immediately as well. Do this persistently and
weekly for the next 2 to 3 months, pulling or killing them as soon as they
appear.
hand, fire or with chemicals and remove any weeds with flowers or seedpods from
the property. In one to two weeks, weeds will come back with a vengeance.
Control these infested areas as soon you see them. The third week, other areas will
emerge with weeds. Control them immediately as well. Do this persistently and
weekly for the next 2 to 3 months, pulling or killing them as soon as they
appear.
 |
| More black plastic emerging from underneath rock applied to the surface as a mulch. Never put a temporary mulch like plastic under a permanent mulch such as rock. |
In the second year, most of the weeds will be controlled.
Just control the “hotspots”. By the third season, hotspots will appear
occasionally and then control is needed only as weeds become problems. Yes,
this sounds like a lot of work but most will be under control in 2 to 3 months
and the work becomes easier.
The mistake people make
is diligence, staying on top of it. Once weeds become established, you lose the
“war against weeds”.