driveway project
We need more parking space. Our driveway is only one car wide and we have two vehicles. Invariably the one we want to use is blocked. There is a strip of lawn grass between the driveway and a hedge that is just the right size to park another vehicle. We can't widen it the whole length because there is a nice tree down by the street that we would hate to lose.
We decided to see if we could do this project ourselves. We don't really want more concrete. Instead we are thinking that some nice pea-sized gravel instead of the lawn grass might work just fine. But we definitely have to get rid of the grass first. We are going to see if we can use the heat and sun to our advantage to kill off the grass. We spread a big sheet of clear plastic out over the lawn this morning. Most gardeners I know use Roundup to kill grass, even the native plant and organic gardeners. I really hate to use that much poison though. I am hoping this method will work. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by Bill Hopkins on June 2, 2003 05:46 PMDear Bill,
Thanks for letting us know about your website. It's an inspiring venture to me, as I've never done one. I have, however, used a sheet of plastic to kill grass, but mine was black. I was told that it was important to exclude light for fastest results but that may be wrong. I was surprised by how long the deep bermuda roots can survive that kind of treatment, even when the top is dead. If you have bermuda and run out of patience, you may want to consider a weed barrier under the pea gravel.
Hi there. In regard to the gravel, you've probably done it already. I have replaced grass in several areas of my yard, in some spots I used weed abatement, others I did not. YOU MUST USE IT. Even with chemicals the grass will grow back, unless you do everything to discourage it. I use the thin black plastic from the hardware store and that works great. Good luck to you.
Posted by: Kate at April 4, 2004 12:17 PM