Crushed Stone - what size to use to minimize weed

ArsenalFanatic wrote: ↑ Would 3/4in crushed stone have better chance of preventing weed from coming through, or should it be smaller?

No, you need to lay down landscaping fabric first. That's what will prevent the weeds from coming through. You can get it at Costco for like $30.00.

Landscaping fabric then 3/4 crushed is what’s under my deck.

You shouldn’t cheap out on the landscape fabric. The best is expensive, heavy, multi-layered and worth it. Weeds can’t push through and if one roots it the rocks, it pulls right out.

ManInTheBurbs wrote: ↑ No, you need to lay down landscaping fabric first. That's what will prevent the weeds from coming through. You can get it at Costco for like $30.00.

Thanks. I am aware of having to use the fabric but from what I gathered it wouldn't suffice by itself.

walleye*guy wrote: ↑ You shouldn’t cheap out on the landscape fabric. The best is expensive, heavy, multi-layered and worth it. Weeds can’t push through and if one roots it the rocks, it pulls right out.

Any recommendations where to find that? Costco?

Not Costco. Not even a big box store.
Landscaping places - in Edmonton Canar Rock Products, Burnco....

Don't know where you are, just google landscaping supplies and phone around.....

You did not say where you want to put this stone. Is it a walkway, under a deck or some sort of lawn or garden edging? There are different answers depending on the project.
I have 4" of 3/4 crushed limestone around my shed. No fabric. Not a weed in years.

Tell you the truth, after 2-3 years, weeds will come regardless.

Soil blows on top of your rocks then seed comes in and it grows on top of your rocks on top of the weed barrier.

At least with rocks it's easier to pull out weeds.

I used 4 layers of Costco barrier , rocks, and weeds started popping out after 2 yrs. I go and pluck them out one by one.

You don't need landscape fabric if the crushed rock is deep enough, i.e. at least 5-6". It's much easier to pull weeds that are loosely anchored in rock than stuff that has germinated under the weed fabric. If I absolutely needed to put something down, it would be a few layers of cardboard and then the rock.

Mars2012 wrote: ↑ You don't need landscape fabric if the crushed rock is deep enough, i.e. at least 5-6". It's much easier to pull weeds that are loosely anchored in rock than stuff that has germinated under the weed fabric. If I absolutely needed to put something down, it would be a few layers of cardboard and then the rock.

Wouldn't cardboard decompose rather quickly?

VertigoM wrote: ↑ Wouldn't cardboard decompose rather quickly?

I also read cardboard promotes bugs to stay around too

VertigoM wrote: ↑ Wouldn't cardboard decompose rather quickly?

Depends on the conditions (how damp, etc)...I don't mind it breaking down over time, like I said, you don't really need any barrier if the rock layer is thick enough.