Weed-Killer for long drive

[naiku]

I have a long gravel drive, probably 500' or so, and it's being taken over by weeds. I bought some weed killer a few weeks ago from Lowes, but it's a small sprayer attached to the side of the bottle and takes absolutely ages to spray all the weeds with enough to make a difference.

Does anyone know of something I can either mix in a watering can and pour on the weeds, or something with a more powerful / wider spray range?

Thanks.

[barry2952]

In for answer. I have a ravine full of weeds I'd love to kill off.

[TwoLitreVW]

same here..... in for answers.


my method of killing it with fire is getting expensive and the neighbors don't like it.

they keep crying about wildfires and such.

[Tornado2dr]

I have a long gravel drive, probably 500' or so, and it's being taken over by weeds. I bought some weed killer a few weeks ago from Lowes, but it's a small sprayer attached to the side of the bottle and takes absolutely ages to spray all the weeds with enough to make a difference.

Does anyone know of something I can either mix in a watering can and pour on the weeds, or something with a more powerful / wider spray range?

Thanks.

Go to a local landscape or farm supply store and explain what you need as far as weed control. They'll have concentrates that you can mix with water...but for a 500' driveway and the plot of land that likely accompanies that, I think a landscaper-style backpack sprayer would be worth the investment.
Like this:

Only use it for weed/vegetation killing.

[naiku]

Go to a local landscape or farm supply store and explain what you need as far as weed control. They'll have concentrates that you can mix with water...but for a 500' driveway and the plot of land that likely accompanies that, I think a landscaper-style backpack sprayer would be worth the investment.

Thanks, will head to Southern States and see what they have. A backpack sprayer may also prompt me to try tackling some of the weeds growing in the grass as well.

[GeoffD]

Just use a huge jug of white vinegar. If you change the pH so it's really acid, nothing grows. That's the cheapest solution.

[barry2952]

Just use a huge jug of white vinegar. If you change the pH so it's really acid, nothing grows. That's the cheapest solution.

How long does that stink?

[ab8349]

as suggested, a backpack sprayer + Crossbow.

[TwoLitreVW]

How long does that stink?

... and how long does it work for?

[Turq]

... and how long does it work for?

And what happens if some neighborhood kid gets bored and pours baking soda on it?

[GeoffD]

How long does that stink?

It doesn't. You spray it on when the extended forecast shows no rain for a week. After the first heavy rain, it's useless but it will kill off whatever is growing.

[Mk1Racer]

Backpack sprayer + Roundup = no vegetation, period!

The backpack sprayers are what the pros use. Holds a decent amount of liquid, so you're not always filling it up. Also has a pump handle that you can pump while you're walking / spraying. The nozzle has an adjustable spray pattern. For something as large as a 500' driveway, that's the best solution, short of having it paved.

[spockcat]

Backpack sprayer + Roundup = no vegetation, period!

The backpack sprayers are what the pros use. Holds a decent amount of liquid, so you're not always filling it up. Also has a pump handle that you can pump while you're walking / spraying. The nozzle has an adjustable spray pattern. For something as large as a 500' driveway, that's the best solution, short of having it paved.

And you don't need to soak the ground like the OP was going to do with a watering can.

[eldealero]

I have a backpack sprayer for my 8 acres and it makes a once miserable job almost fun! If you have a lot of weeds and area to cover, you might want to look into getting some dye so you can see where you have sprayed.
As far as cheap herbicide: I researched it a few weeks ago and bought this stuff- http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-5-Gallon-R...ht_2382wt_1396
I figure it should last me a few years.

[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

Backpack sprayer + Roundup = no vegetation, period!

The backpack sprayers are what the pros use. Holds a decent amount of liquid, so you're not always filling it up. Also has a pump handle that you can pump while you're walking / spraying. The nozzle has an adjustable spray pattern. For something as large as a 500' driveway, that's the best solution, short of having it paved.

I have a 250' driveway, this is what I do and it seems to work well.

[e_andree]

I just used this on my patio....

http://www.lowes.com/pd_247467-446-0...tt=weed+killer

Ortho Ready to use weed killer- kills for up to a year

You pour straight from the spout- Ive used the hose hookup deals in the past and wasnt impressed.

Within a day the weeds were dead- very pleased with this so far. For a larger area I would buy this stuff in concentrate, and then mix in a backpack type sprayer (or hand held sprayer deal with a larger spray)

[formula14]

Get a Stihl Backpack Sprayer. They are a little more $$ but are more comfortable and work better. We have 2 that we use on our chesnut orchard to spray bugs and they work great. We also have a few different cheaper models and the Stihls are worth the extra $$.

[smittyATL]

Get a 4 gallon backpack sprayer and a 2.5 gallon jug of 51% concentrate glyphosphate. 2 2/3 oz per gallon should take care of any green stemmed weeds. Bump the concentration if you are trying to kill woody stemmed weeds.

Just follow the recommendation on the label for wahtever you are trying to kill.

All can be had at HD/Lowe's and the chemicals will cost more than the sprayer.

[Mabe]

Backpack sprayer plus pickling vinegar. Pickling vinegar is a little stronger than std white vinegar. I add 1 cup of salt per gallon and some dish soap. Dish soap helps with the smell and klings the vinegar to the leaves. Salt after a few applications makes it tough for stuff to grow in the are after a while.
I do use concentrate stuff in some areas but I dont like useing chemicals where the kids and dogs play.

[PlatinumGLS]

I used Ortho Ground Clear on a ~200 sqft area and it killed all weeds and grass for about 9 months. Simple to apply, I mixed it in a watering can rather than a spray so it would get heavier coverage and no worries about over-spray.

[Mk1Racer]

I used Ortho Ground Clear on a ~200 sqft area and it killed all weeds and grass for about 9 months. Simple to apply, I mixed it in a watering can rather than a spray so it would get heavier coverage and no worries about over-spray.

200 sq. ft. is a pretty small area compared to some of the driveways in question.

[PlatinumGLS]

200 sq. ft. is a pretty small area compared to some of the driveways in question.

Right, but OP said only 500 sqft which will be no problem either.

I also did the cracks in concrete driveway and it only takes a little bit to do ~1000+ sqft driveway (obviously, you do not cover entire concrete driveway).

[barry2952]

Right, but OP said only 500 sqft which will be no problem either.

I also did the cracks in concrete driveway and it only takes a little bit to do ~1000+ sqft driveway.

The OP was asking about a gravel driveway that's 500 feet long, or 5,000 square feet, or thereabouts.

[PlatinumGLS]

The OP was asking about a gravel driveway that's 500 feet long, or 5,000 square feet, or thereabouts.

Ah, I missed that. I am so used to dealing with square footage

In that case, I would use 41% Glyphosate (the one I have used is called GlyphoMate 41), a gallon or two of that should do the trick.

[moonstation 2000]

I tried the vinegar/salt/soap in a sprayer and it worked great! Especially well on plants with wide leaves, not as well on grass.

I used a regular (1.5 gal?) back sprayer from Lowes. 1 gal vinegar, 1 or 2 full containers of salt (the big ones), a couple good squirts of soap and top the rest up with water and then shake. This may be overkill on vinegar or salt or both, but they're both cheap so who cares?

I applied once last week and some plants withered right up and died, mostly the broad-leafed ones. Grass didn't work as well, however I didn't have the spray adjusted correctly - it was too narrow.

Just did a second application, will be keeping tabs on progress...