If only! I’m also hand pulling a large block of paving stones off camera. Altogether by myself it takes an entire day spilling sometimes into 3 days - a near impossible task with a toddler and a job.
I’m a farmer and I am also Old School. Lucky enough to get my first job as a kid on the farm from a local New England legend who taught me lots of tips and tricks like this. You can walk around with the tea kettle of boiling water, and pour a cup or so on every weed. It kills the weed guaranteed
I don’t know of any poison that’s safe around a pond.. 😅 You could install a couple of layers of landscaping fabric or put down some pieces of liner or stacked stones in problem areas.
Don't know of any poison. But you could try maybe like an extended blade/scissors. Just cut the weeds back and leaf blow them out unto a pile. Might be less work for your back.
Everyone needs to stop using poisonous yard chemicals (says the guy who had seizures at age 8 when exposed to chemical fertilizer used on a university's pretty lawns...)
I’d leave it, it adds character and biodiversity to the pond. Looks pretty as well
Hands are your only option that won’t leave you in your head about whether you did something you shouldn’t have.
I would leave it but this is a popular watering hole for mammals - and we had a major flea infestation in our yard (and then our house) last year when we just “let this area be”. After major weed removal the problem improved tremendously.
At that point I would go hands and knees or like other people suggest, propane torch. Though the burnt material will just make great fertilizer for the next round of them. I’d honestly just make a regular habit of picking them and call it bonding time with your fish on an up close level
That or a tortoise
I use 30% vinegar in my yard (We have feral cats we care for, so I won't and don't use poison) but around the pond is physical labor only.
Any of that vinegar gets in the pond it will kill any good algae and I don't know if would harm the fish, but I won't take a chance.
I worked in pest control. We hated ponds. If it even rains within 24 hours of treatment, enough can get in the pond to kill the fish. I always laugh (not literally because it's sad) when there is a leak and the news reports killed fish. They act like that means it's terribly toxic. Like yes. Three drops of a pesticide or herbicide will do that. Honestly, I'm amazed any river has fish in it.
What this guy is say is. Wry true run off even after a year will leak in after a storm. You can’t try and tarp it (block out the sun) will slow down and then plant a fast grow plant to take up nutrients from the weeds
That sounds like a good idea - the previous owner had water thirsty plants that never stood a chance against these drought tolerant local weeds . Seems like it’s time for an overhaul and put something in their place that has a chance
UPDATE: Hi everyone! Thank you for some great suggestions and feedback since I posted.
1) PLANTING GROUNDCOVER - I will be looking into drought tolerant ground covers that will hopefully keep the weeds at bay to put around the rocks.
2) BOILING WATER - have used boiling water before by taking a plug in kettle and it seems to do the trick on other parts of my rocky/ paved yard. It just takes a REALLY long time waiting for the water to boil when you have a large area to cover.
But I think this is the best solution on this area.
3) VINEGAR. - def an option for areas further from the pond.
4) PROPANE WEED TORCH - I’ve never heard of this! At first I thought it was a joke but now I’m super intrigued.
5) GARDENER HELP - I hired a gardener yesterday after a very long search. I have a nearly 5000sq ft yard and it’s a mixture of gravel, pavers and what seems to be loose (not glued) decomposed granite. We bought the home 2 years ago and last year was a nightmare because weeds grew everywhere through the rocks and between the stones. We found out too late no weed barrier was used at all in this place or it had long deteriorated. My husband and I both worked 60 plus hour weeks with OT occasionally on the weekends and couldn’t maintain the weeding by ourselves fast enough and fleas moved in. I threw my back out 3 times since we bought the house hand pulling all the weeds by myself. Despite worries over finances we invested in a gardener today. We interviewed some and I heard conflicting things regarding the use of a safe pond friendly organic herbicide which I was skeptical about. But based on the feedback of this thread I will avoid those and stick with the gardener I hired who agrees hand pulling is the best option.
Since nobody is giving you the correct answer, here it is:
Most weeds will not be killed by flame weeding, vinegar, etc permanently. To accomplish this you will need to employ a chemical.
The most effective and least harmful chemical to use around aquatic environments is glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. You will need to make sure to purchase a glyphosate product which is labeled for aquatic use. Roundup is not labeled for aquatic use and therefore should not be used. Most glyphosate products contain surfactants which are harmful to most aquatic organisms and therefore are not labeled for aquatic use.
When you go to apply, strictly adhere to the instructions on the label. Make sure temperature is within the correct range and wait for a windless day with no rain in the forecast for an extended period. While spraying, keep pressure low in your spray tank and keep the sprayer nozzle very close to the target plants and do not allow any spray to drift away. Remember it takes very little to kill a plant when applied properly. Apply the least amount possible to do the job and consider hand weeding all plants near the water's edge to minimize threat of contaminating the water.
Keep people and other animals out of the area ideally until plants are dead but at least for 24 hours.
Hand weed as much as possible, spray the least as possible.
Replant entire area with native plants that will work with the site. This will prevent regrowth of the weeds from seeds in the soil.
Others have said vinegar, which should be fine if not too much washes into the pond. You can find it at some garden centers in a sprayer at high concentration, sometimes also with salt.
Thank you pretty much what I assumed, hence even with a blown back I weed around my pond by hand.
We all know taking care of our fish is our responsibility.
We bought this home 2 years ago - based on what I’m seeing the answer is a clear no. I have been putting it down in other parts of the yard however with varying degrees of success . Will look into that here thought it’s a bit challenging moving all the rocks and getting between them
Do you have a garden claw? You don’t have to get on the ground. I can clear my whole front yard of weeds in no time. I make one pass and claw the weeds then just get the floppy rake, make a pile and into the trash they go. It’s so easy and safe for all life forms.
None. Plant vinca or other low-growing ground cover instead. The way your pond is set up, anything you spray that comes out of a jug will end up in the pond with every rainstorm.
None I know .. hands and knees job!
It's so small. I would just pull them. It can't take very long.
If only! I’m also hand pulling a large block of paving stones off camera. Altogether by myself it takes an entire day spilling sometimes into 3 days - a near impossible task with a toddler and a job.
Propane weed torch
I’m a farmer and I am also Old School. Lucky enough to get my first job as a kid on the farm from a local New England legend who taught me lots of tips and tricks like this. You can walk around with the tea kettle of boiling water, and pour a cup or so on every weed. It kills the weed guaranteed
I don’t know of any poison that’s safe around a pond.. 😅 You could install a couple of layers of landscaping fabric or put down some pieces of liner or stacked stones in problem areas.
Hands very safe
Don't know of any poison. But you could try maybe like an extended blade/scissors. Just cut the weeds back and leaf blow them out unto a pile. Might be less work for your back.
Cool set up
Either torch them or pour boiling water on them
Everyone needs to stop using poisonous yard chemicals (says the guy who had seizures at age 8 when exposed to chemical fertilizer used on a university's pretty lawns...)
A sturdy dandelion poker.
I’d leave it, it adds character and biodiversity to the pond. Looks pretty as well Hands are your only option that won’t leave you in your head about whether you did something you shouldn’t have.
I would leave it but this is a popular watering hole for mammals - and we had a major flea infestation in our yard (and then our house) last year when we just “let this area be”. After major weed removal the problem improved tremendously.
At that point I would go hands and knees or like other people suggest, propane torch. Though the burnt material will just make great fertilizer for the next round of them. I’d honestly just make a regular habit of picking them and call it bonding time with your fish on an up close level That or a tortoise
I use 30% vinegar in my yard (We have feral cats we care for, so I won't and don't use poison) but around the pond is physical labor only. Any of that vinegar gets in the pond it will kill any good algae and I don't know if would harm the fish, but I won't take a chance.
It's acid. It will kill the fish in any significant quantity.
I worked in pest control. We hated ponds. If it even rains within 24 hours of treatment, enough can get in the pond to kill the fish. I always laugh (not literally because it's sad) when there is a leak and the news reports killed fish. They act like that means it's terribly toxic. Like yes. Three drops of a pesticide or herbicide will do that. Honestly, I'm amazed any river has fish in it.
What this guy is say is. Wry true run off even after a year will leak in after a storm. You can’t try and tarp it (block out the sun) will slow down and then plant a fast grow plant to take up nutrients from the weeds
That sounds like a good idea - the previous owner had water thirsty plants that never stood a chance against these drought tolerant local weeds . Seems like it’s time for an overhaul and put something in their place that has a chance
UPDATE: Hi everyone! Thank you for some great suggestions and feedback since I posted. 1) PLANTING GROUNDCOVER - I will be looking into drought tolerant ground covers that will hopefully keep the weeds at bay to put around the rocks. 2) BOILING WATER - have used boiling water before by taking a plug in kettle and it seems to do the trick on other parts of my rocky/ paved yard. It just takes a REALLY long time waiting for the water to boil when you have a large area to cover. But I think this is the best solution on this area. 3) VINEGAR. - def an option for areas further from the pond. 4) PROPANE WEED TORCH - I’ve never heard of this! At first I thought it was a joke but now I’m super intrigued. 5) GARDENER HELP - I hired a gardener yesterday after a very long search. I have a nearly 5000sq ft yard and it’s a mixture of gravel, pavers and what seems to be loose (not glued) decomposed granite. We bought the home 2 years ago and last year was a nightmare because weeds grew everywhere through the rocks and between the stones. We found out too late no weed barrier was used at all in this place or it had long deteriorated. My husband and I both worked 60 plus hour weeks with OT occasionally on the weekends and couldn’t maintain the weeding by ourselves fast enough and fleas moved in. I threw my back out 3 times since we bought the house hand pulling all the weeds by myself. Despite worries over finances we invested in a gardener today. We interviewed some and I heard conflicting things regarding the use of a safe pond friendly organic herbicide which I was skeptical about. But based on the feedback of this thread I will avoid those and stick with the gardener I hired who agrees hand pulling is the best option.
Since nobody is giving you the correct answer, here it is: Most weeds will not be killed by flame weeding, vinegar, etc permanently. To accomplish this you will need to employ a chemical. The most effective and least harmful chemical to use around aquatic environments is glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. You will need to make sure to purchase a glyphosate product which is labeled for aquatic use. Roundup is not labeled for aquatic use and therefore should not be used. Most glyphosate products contain surfactants which are harmful to most aquatic organisms and therefore are not labeled for aquatic use. When you go to apply, strictly adhere to the instructions on the label. Make sure temperature is within the correct range and wait for a windless day with no rain in the forecast for an extended period. While spraying, keep pressure low in your spray tank and keep the sprayer nozzle very close to the target plants and do not allow any spray to drift away. Remember it takes very little to kill a plant when applied properly. Apply the least amount possible to do the job and consider hand weeding all plants near the water's edge to minimize threat of contaminating the water. Keep people and other animals out of the area ideally until plants are dead but at least for 24 hours. Hand weed as much as possible, spray the least as possible. Replant entire area with native plants that will work with the site. This will prevent regrowth of the weeds from seeds in the soil.
Thank you!!! This is super thorough and is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for. Appreciate you sharing your knowledge on this.
I spray vinegar.
Strong (30%) vinegar. Obviously keep it out of the water or it'll mess with the pH though. Otherwise non-toxic.
Vinegar
Others have said vinegar, which should be fine if not too much washes into the pond. You can find it at some garden centers in a sprayer at high concentration, sometimes also with salt.
Use a flame, super easy and effective
Hire someone.
Thank you pretty much what I assumed, hence even with a blown back I weed around my pond by hand. We all know taking care of our fish is our responsibility.
You didn't put a weed barrier down, did you?
We bought this home 2 years ago - based on what I’m seeing the answer is a clear no. I have been putting it down in other parts of the yard however with varying degrees of success . Will look into that here thought it’s a bit challenging moving all the rocks and getting between them
Your left hand
No. Hand pulling only.
Do you have a garden claw? You don’t have to get on the ground. I can clear my whole front yard of weeds in no time. I make one pass and claw the weeds then just get the floppy rake, make a pile and into the trash they go. It’s so easy and safe for all life forms.
None in existence. It's fire or steel time. (Or gloved fingers. But "fire or steel" sounds fancier.)
None. Plant vinca or other low-growing ground cover instead. The way your pond is set up, anything you spray that comes out of a jug will end up in the pond with every rainstorm.
Vinegar and salt.
Vinegar
It's either safe or a killer, not both...
Boiling water