Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Flower Beds vs Weeds?

Anybody have any thoughts on whats the best way to make a flowerbed for the most part maintenance free from weeds, monkey grass, liriope, etc..?

I know most solutions won't be 100%, but if I can cut the weeds by 75%-90% I would consider it a win.

This is a weekend place and I don't want to spend my weekends pulling weeds.

I like the way some river rock looks.

I have one guy telling me I should dig the flower beds out several inches deep, buy a few bundles of roofing shingles, then lay down the rectangular roof shingles, and then cover the roofing shingle material with a pretty river rock. He says that will stop 95% of the weeds for several years.

Anybody every done it that way? He says shingles are cheaper and more effective than the rolls of weed block ya buy at Lowes/HomeDepot.

Do you think mold could be a problem under the shingles?

Any other ideas?

Maybe something like this?

Zep,

FWIW I have many many areas I've done with landscape fabric and stone with no issues. Pretty much around everything I don't want to have to weed wack around (well head, pump house, septic, etc.). Mine are about the same as shown in your picture. The key is buy good quality fabric, not the cheapest you can find. If you intend to plant shrubs, etc. then make sure you have good soil under the fabric. This may require digging out what's there and replacing with good garden soil. Spread out the fabric then cut an X shape wherever you want to plant something. The fabric allows the soil to breathe and water to pass thru. I don't think shingles will do that.

Good luck and post some pics when yer done!

Thanks Bill.

Mark, I'd pass on the shingles.

If you're wanting a weekend watering only type plants, then knockout roses, and lantana are a great combo.

First Monday always has great plant prices, and we usually just buy hanging lantana baskets, and split those plants. Living Earth has the cheapest day to day prices on most soil amendments, and will deliver in bulk if you need that much.

lantana

Thanks Al...I am trying to not have any plants at all...maybe couple of small shrubs..any kind of ground cover/plants besides weeds has led to snakes that scare guests. I hope to go with solid river rock...these are relatively small beds...it will be more like border. I really like the hanging baskets idea.

Gotcha. We keep our monkey grass mowed for the same reason. Snakes.

Dig out a few inches, pour concrete, then lay rocks over concrete(wet or dry)???

Brian....I did consider concrete...lol.

But after seeing some warnings about the roof shingles, last night I bought this weed barrier on Amazon. I will give it a try. It has 5 Star feedback ratings...we'll see. Thanks guys.

Dewitt Weed Barrier on Amazon

Also use Preen. Stuff is really good at controlling weeds. I apply twice a year. March and JUly

Max do they sell Preen at Home Depot/Lowes type stores?

Yeah, I get mine from Lowe's. The sooner your get it on at this point the better! I usually do mine Mid-march. It stops the weeds from germinating so it's better early. I would get it on ASAP and water pretty good to get it to dissolve. At this point you might get a few weeds still this year, but not nearly as much without it. I have spread it in Feb before a big snow and it worked then too. It's just pellets you spread on the mulch, rock, grass, etc. 16 pound containers cost about 25 bucks at Lowe's and last me 2 years. And I apply about twice the recommended dosage because I hate pulling weeds.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_252817-68859-2463800___?productId=3028440&pl=1&Ntt=preen

Also saw you are in Texas. You might want to make Feb (or even Jan) your regular spreading. It's gotta be spread about a month before you see the weeds. It also last about 3 months so you might need 3 doses a year instead of my two.

+1 on the Preen. The stuff works great but like Max said, get it down early. It is a pre-emergent herbicide and has no effect on vegetation that has already germinated.

Ok thanks Max and Bill.

Anybody have any experience with the rubber mulch?

I guess I might consider it since it would much cheaper and maybe easier to deal with than the river rock.

The high quality weed barrier and then cover it with the rubber mulch?

Any thoughts?


Lowes - Rubber Mulch

Zep,

I've seen the rubber mulch in a few places and it looks good. I've mostly seen it in playgrounds as a more forgiving surface than stone for kids knees. Are you sure it's less expensive than river rock? I had 25 tons of beautiful clean 2 to 3 inch river rock delivered last summer for $25.75 per ton delivered.

Bill....which of these most resembles what you got for $25.75 per ton delivered?

Classic Rock

Zep,

I'll post a few pics of mine. Maybe it is more readily available here? I just called my stone and gravel guy and told him what I wanted.

Zep,

Here’s a few pics of some of the places I used river stone. I would say size ranges from 1 to 4 inches.

Nice Bill....great looking river rock.

Thanks for pics.

ps: don't see any weeds!

Sams sometimes has big containers of Preen pre-emergent weed killer and large rolls of Preen landscape fabric for better prices then anywhere else I've seen. You have to check stock in your local store if you have one nearby. Not sure if this link will work for you or not...

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/search/sear...equestid=877560

Gee Whizzes Guys, Please don't give her anymore ideas!! Dan