Weeds and rocks

[R.R.]

How long before planting can I use roundup?

If you want to eat what you plant, never.

 

[CanadianLori]

If you can boil water you can kill weeds.

 

[galmal]

If you can boil water you can kill weeds.

Are you saying that pouring boiling water over weeds will kill them? That would be fantastic, I've never heard that before. Please - tell us more!

 

[Chuck]

Are you saying that pouring boiling water over weeds will kill them? That would be fantastic, I've never heard that before. Please - tell us more!

Yes it will effectively kill weeds you don't want. It will also kill things you do want

 

[Martsmac]

Will that work if I JUST pour boiling water onto roots? I have some cut roots of plants that I dont want in my garden. How long should it take to affect roots!?

 

[Chuck]

Will that work if I JUST pour boiling water onto roots? I have some cut roots of plants that I dont want in my garden. How long should it take to affect roots!?

I don't think it will work on tree roots.

 

[Martsmac]

These are not tree roots per say but rather large bush roots that have gone down gaps in concrete.

 

[Chuck]

These are not tree roots per say but rather large bush roots that have gone down gaps in concrete.

It still won't work. Boiling water only works on smaller shallow rooted grass and weeds.

 

[Martsmac]

So how would you advise I get rid of these roots. I could snip them right at the concrete but when I finally setup my planting bed properly (add top soils and plants etc) I would be concerned they would grown back. Please note there are no stumps any more just a few roots.

 

[Chuck]

So how would you advise I get rid of these roots. I could snip them right at the concrete but when I finally setup my planting bed properly (add top soils and plants etc) I would be concerned they would grown back. Please note there are no stumps any more just a few roots.

Those roots will not resprout or start growing again. They are DEAD. Just let them rot. But if you must drill some 1/2" holes in them and fill the holes with potassium nitrate. You can get it at any decent nursery. Spectracide, Hi Yield, Bonide and others market the stuff as stump removers. It turns the wood into a fibrous cellulose which will rot and burn easily.