[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Schmitth

I continue to have to pull weeds from our flower beds , and constantly have to go back and start all over again. I have the landscape fabric, I’ve used Preen, and used most types of weed killers. Nothing seems to work efficiently. Anyone have a better solution?

Landscape fabric? How old? If years old the dust has collected into nice layer of dirt above fabric which allows weeds thrive in. Key to stopping weeds get them while they’re young before the produce seedings.

To really stop weeds you have to eliminate the dirt above fabric that required removing rock/mulch pulling up old mat treating and leveling the ground. Lay down new mat (landscape fabric the thicker the better) sifting all dirt out of rocks, lay down clean layer over the mat. Good to go for few years till dust puts down another layer of dirt.

How do I know this I’ve pulled up about 1/3 of my rock landscape due to 30 plus Holly bushes removed, cleaned leveled dirt, sniffed rocks removing dirt and layer down clean rocks. I have no weeds in those areas. Where the other 2/3s fighting weeds every month. I either pull or roundup them while they are young/just popped up.

Another thing if you house resale and previously owners planted shrubs and the died you have holes in fabric where weeds really thrive.

[mikreb]

Preen pre-emergent doesn't work. Use Prodiamine or Barricade pre-emergent.

Originally Posted by MSchad

Constant battle, but as earlier post stated, I use vinegar solution.
1gal vinegar
1cup iodized salt or 2 cups epson salt
1/4 cup dawn dishsoap
Spray as needed.

Tried that. Didn't work on mine.

[buster21]

No to herbicides. I’m raising a Monarch caterpillar in my lanai right now and if all goes well it will emerge to become a beautiful butterfly. To suppress weeds in a rock bed, I added pine straw( Ace)and a peat moss blend.(Lowe’s) Planted some lantana to spread over rocks also to block weed formation. I’m experimenting with coffee grounds on my rock beds that have no added mulch to see what happens. I don’t mind hand pulling weeds sometimes because it calms me down!

[Two Bills]

Like several other things I can think of, pulling by hand is still the best method.

[ffresh]

Originally Posted by Schmitth

I continue to have to pull weeds from our flower beds , and constantly have to go back and start all over again. I have the landscape fabric, I’ve used Preen, and used most types of weed killers. Nothing seems to work efficiently. Anyone have a better solution?

Best weed killer I've used is agricultural vinegar minimum 45% acetic acid - organic and harmless to the environment
Amazon.com

Household vinegar is not strong enough (5% - 7% acetic acid). Needless to say, follow the mixing directions. The stronger you mix the solution, the more effective it will be. The mixture in post #7 uses dawn detergent as a surfactant which allows the liquid to adhere to the plant - works well!

I also use the weed torch in post #5, which works well for me. Be cautious with the ag vinegar - it will burn mucous membrane (wear gloves and eyewear). The "cocktail" that I mix is about identical to the one posted in #7. I spray when it's dry and hot outside; you'll see results within hours! The torch I use periodically, as needed, between the vinegar dousings


FredF

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

Roundup is toxic and bad for the environment, humans and pets. The vinegar spray is fine, but the guy form Massey suggested a weed torch. No bending, works great. Available at Lowe's ($50) or on Amazon ($25). Guess where I bought mine..Weed Torch on Amazon
You will also need a $5 can of propane which is cheaper locally due to the cost of shipping hazardous materials.

Pets shouldn’t be IN the flower beds and if roundup is used properly it won’t affect people.

[La lamy]

Weeding is an exercise for me. I've heard from a yoga instructor that we should put our head below the heart for 10 minutes a day for brain health. Consider bending over to get those weeds your brain health regimen!

[PhilG]

napalm

[barbnick]

Pull the big ones, spray weed killer on all and throw down a good dose of PREEN. I do it every month. Works

[rrman77]

Originally Posted by Schmitth

I continue to have to pull weeds from our flower beds , and constantly have to go back and start all over again. I have the landscape fabric, I’ve used Preen, and used most types of weed killers. Nothing seems to work efficiently. Anyone have a better solution?

my daughter bought us a miniature flamethrower that uses a small container of propane. This worked wonderfully well for us.. I think ours came from Amazon. Good luck with your problems.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Like several other things I can think of, pulling by hand is still the best method.

Funny. On a serious note, I pull the weeds as much as I can but another said once they bear seeds pulling them shakes loose the seeds which then take root. Unfortunately those damn things are too fragile any earlier and simply break off at the surface and leave the root intact. Tis a conundrum.

[Rzepecki]

Originally Posted by Maker

When a weed is pulled out, pieces of the root break off. Those will all grow into more weeds. Multiplying the problem.
The solution is to spray with round-up first. It kills the entire weed. Then pull it out a few days later.
Round-up is rendered inert with sunlight exposure. It will not kill anything a day later if exposed to sunshine. Other things like salt, vinegar, etc, remain in the soil and can harm flowers and shrubs when irrigation or rain starts to spread it out, and drive it downwards.
Round-up is a toxic chemical, and no chemicals should be sprayed on your body or ingested. Spray on a calm day.

Ditto!

[kendi]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Maybe a torch if you have stone. But I don't think that's a good idea with the pine straw. Roundup works but as noted, it's toxic. Apart from that, it gets into the soil and will damage your shrubs too.

Roundup is absorbed through the leaves of what you spray it on. It dries quickly and will not hurt anything else even if absorbed into the ground.

One exception. There is a type of roundup that in addition to killing the weed will prevent more weeds from sprouting for a year. This type can damage root systems if used a lot in one area.

[richardblanchard]

Originally Posted by Schmitth

I continue to have to pull weeds from our flower beds , and constantly have to go back and start all over again. I have the landscape fabric, I’ve used Preen, and used most types of weed killers. Nothing seems to work efficiently. Anyone have a better solution?

I like you have tried all types of weed killers, including regular vinegar. I finally found something that works on YouTube. It is vinegar but you need to make sure it’s at least 30% and not regular vinegar. It works wonders weed is usually dead the next day once a week, you go through your flowerbeds with a spray bottle of the peer 30% vinegar and spray weeds that may be coming up. I did this for about a month and definitely have less weeds. Just remember the vinegar has to be 30%.