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Best Weed Killer For Gravel

Best Choice
Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer
5/5
Editor's Choice
Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer
4.5/5
Best Overall
NATRIA Grass and Weed Control with Root Kill
5/5

As soon as springtime comes you’ll notice those pesky weeds taking over your gravel driveways and walking paths. Plucking them by hand is not only tedious, but it doesn’t get the job done when there are hundreds of weeds rampantly growing all around the gravel areas.

The best solution to this problem is to invest in a good quality, all-rounder best weed killer for gravel! With so many options to pick and choose from, selecting the right weed killer for gravel areas can be quite tricky. 

Thanks to our gardening guides, you can now learn all about the best weed killer for gravel as well as how you pick the right one for your specific needs.

In this article we will discuss our picks for the best weed killer for gravel as well as the factors you should always keep in mind before purchasing the right weed killer for your gravel driveways, walking paths, parking lots, etc.

If you wish to know more about the best weed grass killer solutions for your gravel, keep on reading!

Top Picks for the Best Weed Killer for Gravel

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1. https://www.amazon.com/NATRIA-Grass-Weed-Control-Ready/dp/B077NH1LXZ/?tag=yhyg0d-20

Getting rid of invasive weeds growing on your gravel driveways and walking paths can be tiring and frustrating. The less work required, the better.

This Ortho GroundClear killer helps with killing weeds quickly and effectively. The solution also helps prevent further weeds from sprouting in your gravel areas.

With just one application, this treatment can eradicate weeds and stop their regeneration for up to a year. This fast action solution is one of the best weed killers in the market thanks to its fast action properties, as others often take up to several months to show results.

The effects will not only be long-lasting but also become apparent almost right away. You’ll start to notice the weeds dying away from your gravel surfaces within just an hour of application.

Additionally, this is a versatile solution for stubborn weeds and can even be used under decks, on rocky and sandy surfaces, parking lots, etc.

It is also equipped with a comfort wand that allows you to spray directly from the bottle. It is also rain proof!

However, it can only cover up to 400 sq. ft of area and you may have to apply double the quantity for it to take effect.

2. Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer

If you are a fan of all-natural and organic gardening practices, then this is just the best weed killer you can use to clear up your gravel spaces.

Not all weed killers are organic and chemical free such as this Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer. It is completely safe to use around people as well as your furry friends. This solution contains a high vinegar weed grass killer content.

It is also a non selective herbicide so make sure you don’t use it on windy days and avoid fan spraying it in case it spills on to your healthy grass or other plants.

Additionally, what makes it one of the best weed killers for gravel is the surfactant in it that helps stick to weed foliage which gives it time to absorb into the leaves and kill existing weeds by the root.

This comes in a 128 ounce bottle and is ready to use! You can attach the included spray nozzle for your convenience and ease of application. It does not require any dilution, mixing, or measuring either.

Just remember to apply this solution on a dry, sunny day as the vinegar content in it does not create a rain-proof barrier.

A single jug of this Natural Armor solution can treat between 3500 to 4000 sq. ft. The denser and larger the weeds in your gravel, the more solution you will require.

The only drawback is that this solution isn’t as strong as chemical weed killers.

3. NATRIA Grass and Weed Control with Root Kill

The NATRIA Grass and Weed Control solution is perfect for those gardeners who prefer eco-friendly solutions to weed growth in their gravel areas.

This is a ready-to-use weed killer that comes in a 1 gallon bottle. The pack also contains a handy trigger sprayer that you can use for your convenience.

This solution contains ammoniated soap of fatty acids as an active component. This seeps through the outer barrier of the weed foliage and penetrates the cellular structure, reaching all the way to the roots and killing it off.

These fatty acids do not leave behind a harmful residue for over 5-6 days, so you can be at peace knowing that it won’t harm the environment in any way.

To use this weed control solution, simply spray each of the weed clusters around your gravel driveways and make sure to cover the foliage entirely. A single gallon container can treat up to 400-450 sq. ft of weeds. You can see the results within a day!

Just be careful when you are spraying this liquid as it can kill other plants that it comes in contact with.

4. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate

One of the best weed killers for gravel is undoubtedly this Spectracide Weed and Grass concentrate. If you are looking for smooth, quality results, then this is it. The Spectracide weed killer is popularly used on sports fields, golf courses, parks, etc. It is also a great addition to the best liquid weed killers for lawns.

It is a versatile weed killer and can even be sprayed around trees, flower beds, or hard surfaces such as walkways, gravel paths, and patios. What makes it so unique is that you can see the results in a matter of hours! This solution is also completely weather-proof within 15-20 minutes of application.

You can purchase this weed killer for gravel in a 64 ounce bottle but remember to dilute it with water first! Otherwise, this solution is also available in a pre-mixed ready-to-use sprayer.

It is recommended that you apply this during dry, warm days with minimal wind, or else it could kill unprotected turf

5. SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate

Another superb choice to clear your gravel from weed infestation is this Gordon’s Speed Zone solution. It keeps broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds from growing around fence lines and other nooks and crannies around the garden.

It consists of 2,4-D, dicamba acid, and carfentrazone-ethyl blend that creates potency when dealing with stubborn weeds. This combination is lethal for over 200 different types of weeds.

To get the most out of this Speed Zone solution, we recommend that you first mow your grass at least 2-3 days before application. Make sure that rain is not in the forecast! This weed killer is not rain-proof so it will wash away in case of a downpour.

It is also not safe to use around pets and children.

6. Ortho GroundClear Super Weed & Grass Killer

Ortho GroundClear is effective all the way down to the root of the weeds. Within hours, you’ll notice that it’s working as the weeds start to wilt away from your gravel paths. Within 1-2 weeks, the weeds will start to die back completely.

This weed killing solution for gravel also consists of active components and ingredients such as Fluazifop-P butyl, Diquat dibromide, etc

You can use the Ortho GroundClear formula before or after the weed seed germination. They collectively address pre-emergent and post-emergent weed and grass needs.

This product can target up to 175 distinct species of weeds and undesirable grasses because of the wide variety of components.

Ortho GroundClear is offered in three different ready-to-use options: trigger, comfort wand, and refill. Additionally, you can get it in a highly concentrated form to get rid of very tenacious, unwanted weeds.

This is also completely rain-proof within 15-20 minutes of application. But, keep in mind that it may not prevent weeds or kill weeds of all types since this is a selective weed killer.

7. RM18 75439 Fast Acting Herbicide

 

When RM 18 has been absorbed into the weed foliage, it begins to operate quickly. You can use it to get rid of overgrown weed grass on gravel, walkways, and driveways. It is extremely effective against broadleaf weeds. 

Much like the name suggests, this is a fast acting formula that will kill existing weeds and prevent weed seeds from sprouting again within 12 hours of application.

Furthermore, this mixture consists of active ingredients such as glyphosate and diquat dibromide. These help in eliminating weeds quickly and effectively.

This solution is available in a quart, a single gallon, or a 2.5 gallon bottle. The suggested dilution is 16-17 ounces of solution for a gallon of water.

It leaves no residual effects on the soil and this concentrate also lasts a long time unlike many other liquid weed killers.

However, it may still require reapplication on persistent weed grasses.

8. Dr. Earth 8012 Fiskars Machete

One of the best solutions that kills weeds on your gravel driveway is undoubtedly this superb Dr. Earth Final Stop mixture. It is a 100% organic herbicide that is non selective and post emergent. It is especially useful to get rid of broadleaf weeds and crabgrass from your gravel or driveway.

This natural weed killer is OMRI listed weed killer that contains helpful essential oils so you never have to worry about it being a threat to your health. It also contains active ingredients such as citric acid, rosemary oil, thyme oil, sesame seed oil, etc. The Dr. Earth Final Stop weed killer is also pet-safe.

You can purchase the 24-ounce bottle or the gallon sized container depending on the size of the weed infestation on your gravel driveway.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Weed Killer for Gravel

Sand and gravel can both be treated with the same weed-killing chemicals that are used on lawns, around fence lines, and in cracks in sidewalks.

But when it comes to gravel, it’s especially crucial to eliminate these invasive weeds early on as they will multiply rapidly and even a few clusters will destroy the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor gravel space.

Dead weed clusters can be concealed under shrubs and bushes around the garden area. You can learn more about the best weed killer for Bermuda grass here. However, it is different for gravel pathways and driveways.

Gravel has a wide range of weed issues, from a single dandelion that grows in the middle of a route to invasive crabgrasses that gradually erode the gravel pathway edges. 

However, before you buy a weed killer for gravel, you must take into account the following factors.

Selective Weed Killers Vs. Non Selective Herbicide for Gravel Driveway

There are two types of chemical ingredients that are used in weed killers: selective and non-selective.

Many herbicides are selective, meaning they only kill some types of weeds while leaving other types unharmed. Depending on the product, selective herbicides destroy different kinds of weeds. To improve the quantity and variety of weeds eliminated, a number of selective herbicides may be combined.

Any plant will be killed with a non-selective weed killer. It eliminates both undesirable and desirable plants if you aren’t careful. All precautions should be taken to prevent interaction between desired grass or plants and overspray when using non selective weed killers on gravel driveways and walks.

The Right Ingredients for Gravel Weed Killers

The best weed killers contain one or more chemical herbicides that are well-known for their capacity to destroy vegetation. To help the herbicide adhere to the leaves of the undesirable plants, a number of chemicals are utilized, some of which kill weeds and others of which serve as surfactants or mixing agents. The following are some of the most typical components in weed killers:

Triclopyr

Some weed-killing products contain the chemical triclopyr. This herbicide is non selective. It is one of the finest options for usage on gravel walkways next to lawns because it won’t affect most varieties of turfgrass. But, it will kill a variety of weeds, including invasive species like mesquite and locust.

Glyphosate

Some non-selective herbicides contain glyphosate as an active component. However, due to grave worries about its influence on the environment and potential connections to cancer, it is gradually being taken out of production in the United States. Unfortunately, glyphosate is still widely used today because of how well it kills all vegetation.

2-4-D:

This is another targeted herbicide that kills invasive broadleaf weeds. It can also be used in conjunction with triclopyr to destroy weeds more effectively. It is safe to use close to lawns, just like triclopyr.

Duration of Effective Weed Killers

The persistence or lingering effect of a herbicide is determined by how long it takes to finish killing weeds after application. It also depends on whether it degrades upon contact with water. 

In other words, this relates to how long the weed killer will remain effective after a single application. It also counts when you will need to reapply to avoid weeds to regrow.

For gravel and sand, a weed killer that lasts on a path or driveway for a few months is ideal. Short-term weed killers will get rid of current weeds, but they don’t have a lasting effect, so you might need to treat your lawn more frequently.

Contact vs. Systemic Weed Grass Killer for Gravel

Non selective herbicides can be one of the following two types: contact or systemic weed killers.

Firstly, contact weed killers kill any form of green foliage as soon as it comes into contact with it. Spraying contact herbicides evenly and covering as much of the green sections of the weeds as possible will produce the best effects. The immediate death and browning of the leaves causes a shock to the weed root system, ultimately killing the entire plant.

On the other hand, a systemic herbicide seeps through the plant’s foliage and reaches the root ball, killing it entirely. These are extremely potent and should be handled with extreme care. It is better to spray them directly on the plant foliage. You can read about the best weed sprayers for this purpose. Overusing these chemicals can cause them to seep into neighboring plant roots, killing other desirable plants as well.

FAQs for the Best Weed Killers for Gravel Driveways

Yes, spraying weed killer on gravel can damage the garden soil. This can happen if your garden is located right next to the gravel driveway or path.

Overspraying any form of non selective herbicide can cause desirable plants to die and damage the garden soil quality. Keep in mind that some weed killers may also leave behind residual traces that can keep new plants from growing there.

You can permanently get rid of weed grass in your gravel driveway by paving over the gravel with concrete. 

If that is simply not an option for you, try a potent weed killer to eliminate existing weeds and discourage new weeds to sprout in the near future. You can then use a pre emergent over the gravel surface to keep invasive weeds from returning.

No, it is not safe to use organic weed killers for gravel around dogs. Digestion of any concentrated herbicide can cause a reaction or health complications in your dogs. 

Therefore, it is never safe to use any form or weed killer, be it organic or synthetic, around dogs.

No, natural weed killers do not eliminate weeds on gravel quicker than chemical weed killers. This is because chemical herbicides are packed with potent combinations of 2-4-D, glyphosate, etc. 

Each of these creates a lethal blend that can instantly result in invasive weed killing. Organic herbicides are milder in comparison as they lack the harsh chemicals.

Bottom Line on the Top Weed Killer for Home Gravel Driveways and Paths

Our top recommendation for the top weed killer for your home gravel driveways and paths is undoubtedly the Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer thanks to its instant and long lasting results. It also prevents weed growth in the future.

The second best weed killer for gravel is Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer. This is an all-natural, organic formula that may be non-selective but it ensures the safety of your pets, children, and desired vegetation.

Lastly, the NATRIA Grass and Weed Control with Root Kill is an excellent choice for those looking for a ready-to-use, potent, natural weed killer that doesn’t leave behind nasty residue.

Abigail Clemente

Abigail Clemente

To say that Abigail is passionate about gardening and landscaping would be an understatement. Abigail came to Your House Your Garden team with an already exceptional portfolio as an experienced writer.

Abigail Clemente

Abigail Clemente

To say that Abigail is passionate about gardening and landscaping would be an understatement. Abigail came to Your House Your Garden team with an already exceptional portfolio as an experienced writer.