Killing grass in rip rap

[firecadet613]

I bought a place with a 2 acre, fully stocked lake. The rip rap around the lake is overgrown with grass and vegetation. I can trim it with a weed wacker, but I'd rather clean it up and make it look good (no grass in the rocks).

Looking for suggestions on what to use without harming my fish? This is all new to me, so it's PLENTY of research before any action taken.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

 

[printcraft]

Just wanted everyone to see it again and again I guess. He is a quiet observer after all.

 

[Quiet Observer]

Would it be practical to burn them out?
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/pl...g-information-on-flame-weeding-in-gardens.htm

Obviously, it would be safest when the vegetation is green. It will probably look ugly for a few days, but the ash should break up and blow away. I doubt that there would be enough ash to affect the quality of the water. It would have to be repeated a few times a year. I do not think any means will permanently remove the grass.

 

[jerrob]

I just had a small, duck pond dug on our build site, so I'm limited with what little info I can offer.

First, looks like ya need more rip rap. As it was explained to me, rip rap functions as a deterrent to erosion, the little you have probably won't do much.

Second, as you add more rip rap, fill in the gaps by sprinkling some bentonite clay in the gaps,
It helps "bed" the rip rap and the clay makes it harder for grass/weeds to get a foothold. The soil that has filled in yours, from erosion, is a fertile nursery for any seed that lands there.

Here's an inexpensive option for bentonite clay as it can be expensive, Rural King has a brand of UNSCENTED kitty litter that is 100% bentonite clay and it's easier to spread than the expensive stuff. I use my seeder and it works great.

Good luck.

 

[firecadet613]

Just wanted everyone to see it again and again I guess. He is a quiet observer after all.

I'm confused? This is the first post I've made about this...

 

[printcraft]

I'm confused? This is the first post I've made about this...

Not you, a since deleted post upthread by QO.

 

[Bugzilla]

Mountain climbing goats.
If you go herbicide be careful or you may not have a stocked pond.
Burning works but is temporary and has to be done again, but so is herbicide.

 

[Jsomerset]

Try spraying 10% vinegar. I used it on my gravel drive. Worked great. Might check if the run off will harm fish. Kind of doubt it would. It will fry frogs and toads though. You can buy 30% and dilute or purchase straight 10%. Regular household vinegar is 5%.

 

[avboiler11]

Glyphosate, applied low and directly onto the grass.

Shouldn't hurt fish, but may hurt frogs or tadpoles.

 

[bwframe]

Vinegar, maybe vinegar and salt mixes?

I'd try a little at a time, starting with household vinegar in various dilutions. Weed killer effectiveness will likely be dictated by time of day, temperature, sun, etc.


.

 

[indyblue]

A lot of that looks like Nutsedge (or nutgrass) which is very difficult to kill Because it grows from rhizomes 8-18” deep. If you don’t kill all the nut grass sharing a root system and rhizomes they’ll just come back.

If you keep killing clusters that sprout up you will eventually kill off the root system, But it may take five or six times. don’t let it spread to your lawn because it’s a bitch to get rid of.

 

[firecadet613]

Great replies - thanks all.

I'll do some further digging on all the suggestions and try a small section on whichever I decide to go with.

 

[VERT]

Glyphosate, applied low and directly onto the grass.

Shouldn't hurt fish, but may hurt frogs or tadpoles.

Glyphosate. Used to be sold as Roundup. The herbicide itself is safe, it is the surfactants that can harm aquatic life. They make a version without surfactants that was sold under the trade name Rodeo. You than had to add an adjuvant approved for aquatic use.

Any of the Glyphosate products should be fine around the pond as long as you don’t get it in the water. Go to the farm supply place and purchase some generic 41% glyphosate. Mix it according to label and apply.

 

[Frosty]

The difficult solution would be to remove as much rip rap as you can and put down a good weed blocking fabric, then add additional rip rap to your existing.

 

[El Conquistador]

I had a pond for about 20 years I used glyphosate around the pond a couple of times every year without any harm to the fish.

 

[***Ironhead***]

I bought a place with a 2 acre, fully stocked lake. The rip rap around the lake is overgrown with grass and vegetation. I can trim it with a weed wacker, but I'd rather clean it up and make it look good (no grass in the rocks).

Looking for suggestions on what to use without harming my fish? This is all new to me, so it's PLENTY of research before any action taken.

We use this around our pond with no problems.

 

[firecadet613]

We use this around our pond with no problems.View attachment 225279

Damn, sold out everywhere. But it sounds like Glyphosate is the answer.

This seems to be the same stuff as the Shoreklear Plus, but it's in stock everywhere...

 

[Ingomike]

There were some lawsuits concerning Glyphosate, so brand names may have changed…

 

[***Ironhead***]

Damn, sold out everywhere. But it sounds like Glyphosate is the answer.

This seems to be the same stuff as the Shoreklear Plus, but it's in stock everywhere...

I haven’t used or seen that before but maybe it is equivalent. I know there is a shortage glyphosate I couldn’t find it anywhere either. Good luck