Quote:
Originally Posted by Scbang
I have front and back yard covered with white stone. Since it's been a long time, weeds are growing thru the PVC cover beneath. I have been hiring landscaper for weeding and shrub trimming but I have a feeling these guys are not regularly spraying and I have reservations for those chemicals they have been spraying even when they do their job.
So, can I cover my white stone with Pine Straws or Pine Barks and would they prevent any weeds growing? What's the difference between 14" and 9" pine straws? What would be the best option to prevent weeds if not pine barks/straws? My neighbor installed artificial turf but I really don't like anything artificial and I think they are much more costly..
Cheers!
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You can probably cover the stones if you so choose, however I wouldn’t recommend that. I would remove the stone first if it were me. That’s another cost to deal with.
The difference between 9” pine straw and 14” pine straw is the tree species source. There are 3 pine species that are used for most of the pine straw in this area: loblolly pine (4”-6” needles), slash pine (7”-9” needles) and long leaf pine (9”-16” needles).
They each have different replacement times based on their characteristics so they probably cost different amounts. Longleaf will last the longest before needing refreshed. It also has a redder color than slash pine.
I’ve had pine straw, bark mulch and stones and pine straw seems to attract the most insects. All three will have weeds and have different life spans between replacing or refreshing.
One note of caution on pulling some weeds: nut sedges will grow more prolifically if you pull them. They have multiple means of spreading rather than just seeds. Once pulled, the plant reacts to that stress by putting out more underground “runners” and you’ll be totally frustrated when you se the increased spread. Use a chemical control on this weed. There are others that do the same thing.
I walk around my stone and mulch covered landscaping several times each week patrolling for and eradicating weeds.