If you have a driveway, you’re probably all too familiar with the struggle of trying to keep it free of weeds. Weeds can grow in pavement cracks or paving stone joints, and their persistent presence can be frustrating to deal with. Luckily, several methods and tools can help you permanently get rid of stubborn weeds anywhere in your driveway.
One option for removing weeds is to use a commercial herbicide or weed killer containing glyphosate, a chemical that can effectively kill most weeds. However, be aware that these products can also harm desirable plants and may not be suitable for use in areas where children or pets play.
Another natural option is household vinegar or horticultural vinegar, which can effectively kill some weeds. Boiling water or a vinegar solution can also be poured onto the weeds to kill them. Weeding tools such as a soil knife or pulling tool can physically remove the weeds, but trying to get the entire plant, including the root, is essential to prevent future weed growth.
Mortar or masonry caulk can fill in driveway cracks in pavement surfaces, preventing more weeds from taking root in those areas. Preventing weed growth in your driveway material in the first place is critical.
In our guide, you can learn more about how to get rid of existing weeds and prevent future weed growth by using table salt in the underlying soil and other methods. By the end, you’ll have a range of techniques for effective weed control and how to prevent weeds from coming back for months. (Learn How To Pollinate Cucumbers)
When to Kill Pavement Weeds
Prevention is key when it comes to stopping weeds from growing in your asphalt driveway. The best time to kill pavement weeds is before they even sprout. Applying pre-emergent commercial herbicides in the spring will help prevent weed seeds from germinating and taking root in your driveway.
This method works best for annual weeds like crabgrass and chickweed. The best time to kill those pesky perennial weeds like dandelions and thistles that have already taken root is during their active growth period. This usually occurs during the summer when temperatures are high, and there is plenty of sunlight. Apply post-emergent chemical herbicides directly onto the leaves of the weed, being careful not to spray any nearby plants or grass.
If you prefer a more natural approach, you can also try pulling up the weeds by hand or using a hoe to dig them out at their roots. However, this method may require more frequent maintenance as some weed roots can be deep, and removing weeds is difficult.
Ultimately, knowing when to kill weeds depends on what weed it is and whether it has already taken root or not – but with proper prevention methods, you can prevent weeds from growing altogether.
5 Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Driveway Forever
One way to get rid of persistent weeds is by using a weed torch. These can be easily found at local stores or online retailers. They work by burning invasive weeds and destroying their root system, preventing them from growing back. However, this method should be used cautiously as it can damage surrounding plants and grass.
Another option is to use a weed barrier or landscape fabric underneath gravel or mulch in your driveway. This prevents sunlight from reaching the weeds and inhibiting their growth. Make sure to install the barrier or fabric to ensure its effectiveness properly.
For those who prefer an organic solution, horticultural vinegar can be an excellent option for killing the entire plant in your driveway. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply directly on the weeds until they are thoroughly saturated. Remember that this method may take multiple applications before entirely getting rid of broadleaf weeds. (Read What Kills Weeds But Not Flowers)
1. Remove Weeds Manually
Manual removal is an effective method to remove weeds in gravel driveways. This process involves physically pulling out the weeds by hand or using small garden tools like a trowel to dig them out.
Manual removal is best suited for smaller areas with fewer weeds, as it can be time-consuming and labor-intensive for larger areas with much weed growth. To effectively remove weeds manually, you need to ensure you get the entire root system when pulling them out. Weeds survive with the smallest part of the plant roots remaining in the soil.
2. Salt Your Driveway
Preventing weeds in your driveway can be a never-ending battle. However, salting your concrete driveway can effectively kill weeds and prevent future growth—salt dehydrates the plant, eventually killing weeds.
Additionally, salt changes the soil’s pH level, making it unsuitable for weed growth. To start with this weed control process, you must mix approximately one cup of salt with two cups of water in a spray bottle.
After mixing well, apply the solution directly onto any visible weeds in your driveway. Be sure to cover all parts of the plant thoroughly with the solution. While killing existing weeds is essential, preventing the future growth of new weeds is equally crucial if you want to maintain a weed-free driveway permanently.
You can do this by using a weeding tool such as hoes or trowels to remove any new, weed seeds or sprouts that may emerge from cracks or crevices on your driveway surface. Regular maintenance and salting are vital to keeping those pesky weeds at bay! (Learn How To Get Rid Of Sticker Weeds)
3. Use a Long-Lasting Weed Killer
Commercial weed killers are often the go-to solution when it comes to getting rid of weeds in your driveway. However, not all weed killers are created equal, and some may only provide temporary relief. To ensure that your efforts prevent weed growth will be long-lasting, consider investing in a potent and effective weed killer specifically designed for pavement surfaces.
These weed killers usually contain strong chemicals that penetrate the roots of unwanted plants and vegetation to inhibit growth and prevent regrowth. A long-lasting weed killer is an excellent way to save time and money spent on regularly treating pesky weeds in your driveway.
4. Reseal Your Pavement
One of the most effective ways to permanently remove weeds in your driveway is by resealing your pavement. Before sealing, it’s crucial to pull all visible weeds and their roots. Another method to kill grasses growing and prevent weeds is using acetic acid, also known as the vinegar method, how to kill grass on driveway.
To create a weed-killing solution, mix one-part acetic acid with three parts water and add a tablespoon of phosphate-free dish soap for adhesion. Pour this mixture over any visible weeds or moss growing between your driveway or sidewalk cracks. Once you do this, you can fill the gaps with a cement crack filler and stop weeds growing again.
5. Install a Resin Bound Driveway
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance and long-lasting solution for your driveway, consider installing a resin-bound driveway.
One of the benefits of having a resin-bound driveway is that it’s virtually weed-free. Unlike traditional asphalt driveways, where weeds can quickly grow between cracks, a resin-bound driveway’s seamless surface doesn’t allow weeds to sprout.
Does Vinegar Kill Weeds in the Driveway?
Vinegar is a popular household product for cleaning and cooking, but it’s also known as one of the best solutions to kill weeds and how to kill grass in driveway. While vinegar can effectively kill weeds in the driveway, some factors should be considered before using it as a permanent solution.
Vinegar may only kill the visible parts of the weed and not its roots, which means that it will eventually grow back. Adding dish soap helps the solution stick and be more effective. Also, pouring boiling water on your weeds can kill them before you pull them up and toss them in your yard waste bin, not your compost pile.
To remove weeds growing in driveway pavement cracks or between bricks permanently, you need to remove them at their root level. One option is to use a weed killer containing glyphosate, an herbicide that kills weeds at their roots. This type of weed killer can be sprayed directly on the weeds and then allowed to dry out over time.
Will Driveway Weeds Come Back?
It’s a common misconception that they won’t come back once you’ve removed weeds from your garden hose driveway. Unfortunately, the truth is that other plants and unwanted vegetation may grow in their place if not adequately dealt with. Weeds take nutrients from organic fertilizer you add to grass and grow back with a vengeance.
One way to prevent the return of driveway weeds is to use a systematic approach for removal. This may include using commercial herbicides or other weed-killing solutions to pull weeds, pulling up as much of the root system as possible, and laying down a barrier such as landscaping fabric or mulch to discourage new growth.
Another proactive measure to take to prevent weeds is to regularly monitor your driveway for any signs of new weed growth. (Read Will Bleach Kill Weeds)
What Kills Weeds Permanently in the Driveway?
Pulling weeds is one of the most effective methods of permanently removing them in the driveway. With a weeder and gloves, you can remove weeds from their roots, which prevents them from growing back. This method requires effort and patience but is worth it since it eliminates weeds without chemicals.
Another natural weed killer that works well in driveways is vinegar. Vinegar contains acetic acid, dries, and kills plants’ leaves and roots. Mix white vinegar with water to dilute its acidity and spray it on weeds until saturated. Be careful not to get any vinegar solution on your lawn or garden since its acidity may kill desirable plants too.
Lastly, boiling hot water alone can also be a natural weed killer for driveway cracks or small areas with few weeds. Boiling hot water penetrates deep into the soil and kills plant roots effectively. Pouring boiling water directly onto the weeds or around their base will cause them to wither within hours or days, depending on their size and type.
