Expert: Richard Clark - 9/10/2007

Question
I wish to convert a weed & brush infested area into a hard weed free surface.  I wish to hack down all the growth which gets very intense.  And in turn lay down tons of "crusher run" which I hope will then solidfy as a then hard weed free surface.  I'm not sure of the best way to go about this.  If I hack down the thick accumulation of weeds and then cover the area with crusher run, will it then become solid and hopefully be devoid of weed growth?  How much crusher run to do the job?  6 inches?  Should I lay down a surface of black plastic, and in turn cover that?  I welcome any & all input on the matter.  The weed growth in in an area that is proximate to water and most prone to excessive growth.  You can almost "watch" the weeds grow to 6 ft. high.  Might there be an envirinmentally safe product that might be introduced to the soil to stifle growth.  Any and all suggestions will be most welcome.---Jack

Answer
Jack
If there has been that much growth of weeds think of all the weed seeds that are laying there waiting to sprout. Some of the plants might be biannuals and their roots will produce through almost anything. I would suggest two things; use a chemicle to sterlize and kill all the weed seeds and roots or use of Roundup which will kill the roots of all living grass and weeds. With it being so wet using a chemicle to sterlize the ground it might leach into another area where you don't want it. There is no such thing as a weed free area that has any dirt for a seed to take root. I would also suggest spend two years of keeping all growth cut down before laying down plastic sheet. Three inches of crushed rock on the plastic should help keep some of the weeds in check and you can control the few that will come up.
Good luck
Richard