Gravel driveways provide a charming, rustic look for many homes. Unfortunately, gravel also provides ample growing room for weeds to sprout up between the rocks. If you want a weed-free gravel driveway, you may need to use chemical herbicides or embrace the weeds. 

Thankfully, some organic approaches can suppress weeds or, at the very least, slow their growth. This article will cover these solutions and more.



Types of Weeds in Gravel

There are many types of weeds that tend to invade gravel driveways, and each has unique characteristics. Here are some of the usual suspects:

  • Chickweed: An annual weed that forms dense, low mats. It produces small white flowers and spreads rapidly by seed.
  • Clover:Both white clover and red clover are perennial weeds with rounded leaflets. They spread through rhizomes and seeds.
  • Crabgrass: This grassy weed spreads aggressively via runners and seeds. It’s a summer annual, so it dies off in winter.
  • Creeping Charlie:Also called ground ivy, this low-growing perennial weed has round, scalloped leaves. It spreads rapidly.
  • Dandelions: These pesky perennials have deeply taprooted plants with yellow flowers. They spread quickly via windborne seeds.
  • Henbit: An annual mint family weed with square stems and purple flowers. It germinates in fall and dies in summer heat.
  • Moss: Dense patches of moss can grow between gravel driveway rocks. Moss lacks true roots and spreads via spores.
  • Plantain: Broadleaf plantain and buckhorn plantain are two common perennial weeds with wide leaves. They spread by seeds.

While this list covers the most common weeds in gravel, any plant’s seeds can potentially blow into and sprout up in your driveway’s gravel crevices.


Organic Ways To Control Gravel Driveway Weeds

Choosing the right method to control weeds in your driveway is important. There are several natural ways to take care of weeds that don’t involve using chemical herbicides. When looking for an organic solution, here are some easy-to-use options to consider:

  • Solarization: This involves covering the gravel with clear plastic sheeting during hot, sunny weather. The heat from the sun kills weeds and seeds under the plastic. However, this technique can take weeks.
  • Boiling water: Carefully pour boiling water directly on weed growth to scald the plants. This quickly kills emerging weeds but isn’t practical for large infestations.
  • Flame weeding:Using a propane torch, you can pass flames lightly over the gravel to kill existing weeds. This gets tedious for large areas.
  • Saltwater or vinegar: Concentrated saltwater or vinegar kills weeds but also sterilizes the soil. Vinegar, in high concentrations, can run off and negatively impact the environment.
  • Corn gluten meal: This organic herbicide inhibits weed seeds from germinating when applied in spring to prevent summer weeds. Reapply every 4–6 weeks.
  • Newspaper or cardboard: Covering the gravel with these biodegradable materials blocks light from reaching weeds. Leave it down for a full growing season.
  • Barriers: Installing landscape fabric under the gravel when you add more can block weeds. Also place barriers along the lawn edge.
  • Hand removal: Digging, hoeing, or hand-pulling weeds works for small infestations but is backbreaking for large areas.
Today’s Homeowner Tips

Some combinations of these organic weed control options may help reduce weed growth, but most require repeated applications and don’t kill root systems of existing perennial weeds.

When using any weed control methods, be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and protective eyewear. Supervise children and pets around treatment areas until products have dried.


Gravel Driveway Weed Control Products

If your gravel driveway has a severe, persistent weed problem, chemical herbicides or synthetic options may offer the best control. Some products we recommend include:

Granular pre-emergent herbicides such as Pendulum AquaCap prevent weed seeds from germinating when applied in early spring.

Glyphosate, Finale, and other non-selective herbicides kill any plant they touch. Use around edges or sparingly between gravel.

Products with citric acid, clove oil, or plant oils kill existing weeds without harsh chemicals but need repeat applications.

Special mixes such as Techniseal HP harden between gravel rocks, blocking space for weeds.

When using chemical weed killers, take care not to overspray onto garden plants or lawns near the gravel. Always wear protective equipment such as gloves and safety goggles.


Long-Term Weed Prevention in Gravel Driveways

Achieving a weed-free gravel driveway is a proactive task. By focusing on creating an environment where weeds struggle to survive, you optimize the driveway’s condition to prevent the growth of unwanted plants over the long term. It starts with maintaining a well-packed driveway, ensuring that the gravel depth is about 3-4 inches. This minimizes the spaces where weeds can grow.

Over time, gravel gets displaced, so it’s essential to reapply new layers of gravel routinely. Doing this not only replenishes the displaced gravel but also helps in smothering any existing weeds, making it difficult for them to survive. 

Another consideration is improving the driveway’s drainage. Eliminate any puddles, as these are areas that enable weeds to take root and thrive.

The surrounding areas of the driveway also play a part in weed prevention. Water the edges of your lawn minimally. This practice encourages the growth of deep roots, preventing them from creeping outward towards the driveway. It’s also crucial to manage weed growth along the edges of the driveway and ensure that weeds in lawns or beds don’t go to seed.

Today’s Homeowner Tips

Another helpful tip is to use materials like polymeric sand stabilizers or sawdust to fill in the crevices between rocks where weeds commonly grow. Keep the gravel exposed to adequate sunlight by regularly pruning overhanging trees and bushes. This makes the environment less conducive for weed growth.


So, Is Weed Control in Gravel Driveways Difficult?

Controlling weeds in gravel driveways can be challenging compared to concrete or asphalt driveways. The loose rocks provide room for weed seeds to take root, hide from sunlight, and evade control.

Even if weeds seem unavoidable in gravel driveways, you still have powerful tools to manage them. Using practical strategies like installing barriers, improving water drainage, keeping the gravel layers thick, and occasionally applying preventive treatments can greatly help in controlling and reducing weed growth.

Achieving a perfectly weed-free gravel driveway often requires professional chemical treatments, usually two to three times a year. However, a more budget-friendly approach is to manage a few weeds here and there. Regularly pulling out the larger weeds or treating specific areas as needed can be quite effective. Focusing on keeping the gravel layers firm and the edges of the lawn tidy also helps in preventing weeds from taking over.

Need help controlling weeds in your gravel driveway? Connect with local lawn care professionals using the form below:

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FAQs About Gravel Driveway Weed Control

What is the most effective gravel driveway weed killer?

Pre-emergent herbicides or non-selective herbicides work best for controlling existing weeds and preventing new growth in gravel driveways. Products with glyphosate or pendimethalin offer the most powerful chemical control.


How do you keep weeds from growing through gravel?

The best defenses are preventing light from reaching seeds and stopping weed introductions. Use barriers such as landscape fabric under the gravel and fill crevices with polymeric sand. Maintain stable gravel layers and treat surrounding lawn edges.


What naturally kills weeds permanently?

No organic approaches permanently kill weed roots and seeds. Boiling water, high heat, saltwater, and vinegar control emerging weeds, but roots remain alive. Products such as corn gluten meal deter new seeds from sprouting but don’t kill established weeds.


Will driveway sealer kill weeds?

Yes, driveway sealants create a protective layer that blocks light and suffocates existing weeds in gravel driveways. However, sealants wear off relatively quickly and don’t prevent new weed growth for long.


Does bleach kill weeds permanently?

Bleach and other chlorine-based products instantly kill any plants they touch. However, the chlorine dissipates quickly without leaving residual activity to prevent new weed growth. So, bleach does not kill weeds permanently.


Editorial Contributors
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Abbie Clark

Contributor

Abbie Clark is a writer and blogger. She is the founder of "Hey She Thrives", where she writes about all things motherhood, coupled with expert cleaning tips that echo the warmth and order of a loving home. She is also the co founder of "RideRambler." There, you can find all of the info you'll ever need on DIY car fixes and Auto news.When not writing, you can find Abbie chasing her toddler, trying a new cookie recipe, or fishing with her husband.

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Sabrina Lopez

Editor

Sabrina Lopez is a senior editor for Today’s Homeowner with over 7 years of writing and editing experience in digital media. She has reviewed content across categories that matter to homeowners, including HVAC services, home renovations, lawn and garden care, products for the home, and insurance services. When she’s not reviewing articles to make sure they are helpful, accessible, and engaging for homeowners like herself, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her family and their two parrots.

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