What's the best way to permanently kill grass and weeds? (growing, tree)

[ocean2026]

I've poured bleach on them,sprayed with Roundup and poured bags of salt. They still survive. The city wants to fine me.

Its not near any environmentally sensitive area - they just need to be dead.

[Luvvarkansas]

Have you tried the newspaper or cardboard and mulch? This was discussed in another thread, let me find it for you:

Cardboard then Mulch, ever done it?

[M3 Mitch]

Not many plants can take Roundup at recommended mix ratios. Dose the area with the "pro" grade Roundup, and you should be good to go. Or get a granulated soil sterilant from any good hardware store.

Hot, nearly boiling water is an environmentally friendly way to wipe out unwanted vegetation. Typically burning the area, just rake leaves/sticks etc. on it and light, will work too, although this is not always practical.

[ocean2026]

Thanks for both responses. We poured the Roundup 6 months ago but it came back. It would be too much work to do the cardboard mulch.

[texdav]

Well that is new grass.Sounds like what you want is to cover it with black plastic but be adcised that as soon as you pull it offf weds and wild grass will come back. Its in the ait blowihng in.Concrete is the only way i know of but keep the cracks filled.

[paperhouse]

Ortho Ground Clear Vegetation Killer Reviews - Viewpoints

It claims to work for up to a year to kill all vegetation. I've never used it, but we sell a lot of it at Lowe's.

[STT Resident]

You used RoundUp six months ago but the growth came back? Sorry, but DUH!

Trust me, I live in the tropics where, as soon as it rains hard the overwhelming weed vegetation springs up. RoundUp is an excellent product but you can't expect it to last for six months or more. I'm out there spraying with RoundUp at least once every two months just to control the perimeter*"elephant grass", control the "Catch 'n' Keep" nasty thornies which thrive on my genip tree and the vines which invasively crawl up the wire fence separating my property from the main road.

Honestly, I don't mean to make fun of you or ridicule you but it's all part of maintenance. Even "Agent Orange" in Vietnam was only a temporary fix.

RoundUp is the best product I've found but, as I said, it's not going to make your property permanently sterile and regular applications are key.

I do have a question, though. How and why are you subject to fines from the city?

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

You used RoundUp six months ago but the growth came back? Sorry, but DUH!

Hahahaha! That was exactly what I was thinking. I guess the OP is new to gardening. Me on the other hand...I should own stock in Monsanto.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

Thanks for both responses. We poured the Roundup 6 months ago but it came back. It would be too much work to do the cardboard mulch.

Well, yeah.
Seeds are germinated, things blow into the area, birds poop... and it comes back.
That's when you RoundUp again.... then again... then again!

[Briolat21]

Exactly.

Use round-up to kill existing growth. Then you need to make the soil sterile to prevent other things from growing. You can use weed barrier and a layer of mulch, but weeds will germinate in mulch. You can use gravel or rocks, but again - weeds can grow in those too. I would use a pre-emergent granule (like Preen) monthly (or bimonthly) - and then continue round-up-ing anything that does happen to grow.

Unfortunately, if you're in an area where things grow easily, this will be a continual task for you.

Good luck!