stone chips.

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by kez, Jul 4, 2014.

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  1. kez

    kez Apprentice Gardener

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    We thought it would be a good idea to dig out rose bushes in two patches either side of windows. We put down black membrane then stone chips on top, the weeds are now starting to come up through the stones, what did we do wrong and how do we fix it?
     
    kez, Jul 4, 2014
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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    The weeds could just be growing in the stone chips rather than through the membrane. Try pulling them up, do the roots go through the membrane?

    Welcome to the forum by the way :)
     
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      JWK, Jul 4, 2014
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    • kez

      kez Apprentice Gardener

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      Yes, they are pushing up through the membrane and coming up around the sides between the wall and the stone chips
       
      kez, Jul 4, 2014
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    • kez

      kez Apprentice Gardener

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      Paid a fortune for a few ton of stone chips thinking it would be the easiest option to maintain but it just looks awful. Not sure if bark would have been a better option???
       
      kez, Jul 4, 2014
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      I sounds like some tough perennial type weed roots were left in the soil and are now are coming through.

      So those weed roots should have been dug out prior to putting down the membrane.

      If there is nothing else growing there then you could spray the weeds with a glyphosate based weedkiller. You can buy the named expensive stuff called "Roundup" from garden centres, but it's cheaper in Wilko's and the Pound Shops:

      This is Wilko's stuff


      Be careful using it as it kills anything green so avoid spraying on a windy day for example as it might drift onto nearby plants you want to keep.
       
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        JWK, Jul 4, 2014
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      • kez

        kez Apprentice Gardener

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        Ok, I will go get me some of that, I did put down some liquid weedkiller, the kind you have to mix with water but nothing happened, I probably got the measurements wrong
        Ps. I hate weeds they have an attitude problem
         
        kez, Jul 4, 2014
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      • HarryS

        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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        When you use Round-Up ( Glyphosate type ) weedkiller it takes about 2 weeks before the weed start to die back . So have a little patience , it is working for you :dbgrtmb:
         
        HarryS, Jul 4, 2014
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      • Loofah

        Loofah Admin Staff Member

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        Obviously after the fact but weed suppressing membrane is a waste of time. You have pics of the area?
         
        Loofah, Jul 4, 2014
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      • kez

        kez Apprentice Gardener

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        Oh does it, it was only 2 days ago, I have just been up to buy the spray stuff as well just there. I thought I was doing it wrong. I will give it a bit longer before I put anymore down just to see. I pulled weeds last weekend... turns out it wasn't weeds it was strawberry plants.
         
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          kez, Jul 4, 2014
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        • kez

          kez Apprentice Gardener

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          Is it a waste of time.. I should have looked on here first, it was a total hassle putting it down and it ripped really easily and you can see it round the edges which doesn't look very nice. I have pics but will have to wait till im home to stick them on.
           
          kez, Jul 4, 2014
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Weed membrane covered in bark has worked for me in the past. The membrane does vary in quality so maybe best to avoid the cheaper stuff.
           
          JWK, Jul 4, 2014
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        • kez

          kez Apprentice Gardener

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          Thought about the bark but my sister has it and she says the local moggies are partial to using it as a public convience and we have enough problems with 4 magpies and 3 pigeons who think they live with us
           
          kez, Jul 4, 2014
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Yes animals are a problem with bark, mine used to get scattered all over the place by blackbirds. Also after a few years the bark decomposes and you have to top it up with fresh.
           
          JWK, Jul 4, 2014
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        • kez

          kez Apprentice Gardener

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          ooooh, I like the wee blackbirds, they can stay
           
          kez, Jul 4, 2014
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        • luciusmaximus

          luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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          Why is it a waste of time? Do you have a suggestion for an alternative?
           
          luciusmaximus, Jul 4, 2014
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