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Old 01-31-2014, 10:57 AM
 
2,687 posts, read 7,381,519 times
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Morning,
Just moved into a duplex in CA. Backyard was prestine when we moved in...one week later weeds are breaking loose throughout the barked area. I am assuming the owner tossed decorative mulch over bare dirt w/out treating for weeds first...just my assumption. I'm looking for a non-toxic weed killer that I can spray or toss around. Have a small dog so I have to be very careful...any suggestions?
Thanks, Koale
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Old 01-31-2014, 01:47 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,065 posts, read 80,100,596 times
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Treating or not, the weeds will eventually come. The proper way to do it is with weedcloth on top of the soil, then the bark. Weedcloth allows water to penetrate but prevents weeds from emerging through. You can spray them with undiluted white vinegar, on a sunny, hot day and it will kill the weeds safely. Buy it by the gallon at Costco.
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Old 01-31-2014, 01:50 PM
 
Location: Philaburbia
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Pull back the mulch, pull the weeds, add landscape fabric, and replace the mulch. There are no easy shortcuts, so stop looking for one.
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Old 02-02-2014, 08:58 PM
Status: "Mistress of finance and foods." (set 12 days ago)
 
Location: Coastal Georgia
49,965 posts, read 63,265,686 times
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I would spray with weed killer. You can do it safely, if you follow directions.
The problem with landscape fabric is that weeds will still grow in the mulch and compost on top of the fabric, and the soil beneath is robbed of the humus that forms above the fabric.
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Old 02-02-2014, 10:19 PM
 
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I would pull the barks back then add a thick layer of either grass clippings if you have them, or a thick layer of wheat straws, thick like 3-4 inches thick then add back the pine barks on top.

Thick layer of grass/ straws will do 2 purposes, 1) it will suppress weed growth and 2) over time it will break down and become "food" for your soil. All the sudden, your flower bed becomes rich & fertile and the neighbors are green with envy because of your great flowers.
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Old 02-03-2014, 09:04 AM
 
13,499 posts, read 18,082,452 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Koale View Post
Morning,
Just moved into a duplex in CA. Backyard was prestine when we moved in...one week later weeds are breaking loose throughout the barked area. I am assuming the owner tossed decorative mulch over bare dirt w/out treating for weeds first...just my assumption. I'm looking for a non-toxic weed killer that I can spray or toss around. Have a small dog so I have to be very careful...any suggestions?
Thanks, Koale
Concrete.
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Old 02-03-2014, 09:23 AM
 
334 posts, read 581,492 times
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Vinegar will kill weeds but the suggestions to put a much thicker layer of mulch are excellent. Then spray pre-emergent on the mulched areas.
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Old 02-03-2014, 10:56 AM
 
Location: WA
5,640 posts, read 24,849,524 times
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We see weeds every year even in gravel... seeds blow in and grow with winter rains. I use pre-emergent in some areas but it is best used sparingly and it is hard to time application with weather changes.

Nature will march on and it will take periodic maintenance to keep it like you want it.
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Old 02-07-2014, 06:30 AM
 
Location: On the Ohio River in Western, KY
3,387 posts, read 6,602,093 times
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Boiling water, kills everything, every time.
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Old 02-07-2014, 09:11 AM
Status: "Mistress of finance and foods." (set 12 days ago)
 
Location: Coastal Georgia
49,965 posts, read 63,265,686 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cav Scout wife View Post
Boiling water, kills everything, every time.
That's a good tip.
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