How to Keep Unwanted Grass and Weeds Away from Driveways and Walkways

Weeds in driveways and walkways come back because cracks, moisture, and heat create perfect growing conditions. DIY fixes are short-term. For lasting results, seal cracks, improve drainage, and apply professional vegetation control in early spring. Green Drop’s commercial-grade treatment kills weeds at the root and prevents regrowth—perfect for large or high-traffic hardscapes.

Your paved walkways, loading zones, and driveways are supposed to stay clean and clear, but grass and weeds are resilient; they’ll always find a way in.

One week, it’s spotless. The next? A full-blown jungle sprouting from every crack and joint.

The unwanted growth breaks up concrete, creates trip hazards, makes your commercial space look like it’s been neglected.

We get it. You’ve tried the vinegar sprays, the torch, and the weekend weed-whacking marathons. And yet... they come back.

We’re breaking down real, long-term solutions to keep vegetation off your driveways, walkways, and high-traffic hardscape areas, and they work!

Why Grass and Weeds Thrive in Driveways and Walkways

You’d think a concrete or asphalt surface would be a no-grow zone. Yet tiny cracks, seams, and expansion joints act like open invitations for airborne seeds to settle in. Once they find a foothold, they take advantage of the heat-retaining surface and water runoff to germinate quickly.

Over time, roots begin to widen cracks and lift pavers, turning minor nuisances into major surface damage. On commercial properties, the problem escalates. Heavy foot traffic, constant vehicle use, winter salt, and debris build up all contribute to weakening surfaces and creating more entry points.

And the more cracks you have, the more weeds you’ll see. It's a cycle that compounds fast. That’s why staying ahead of vegetation in paved areas is necessary. It’s about protecting your infrastructure, reducing liability, and avoiding long-term maintenance headaches.

How to Prevent Weeds in Commercial Pavement?

Here are a few low-tech but high-impact physical strategies that make a real difference:

• Seal cracks and expansion joints regularly: Tiny openings are prime real estate for wind-blown seeds. A quality commercial-grade sealant keeps them closed off and less hospitable.
• Install weed barriers beneath walkways and pads: If you’re laying down new concrete, asphalt, or gravel, adding landscape fabric or a compacted gravel base can dramatically reduce what grows from underneath.
• Use polymeric sand between pavers: Unlike regular sand, it hardens and locks into place. This creates a tight seal that chokes out potential growth in stone patios, paver walkways, or curb sides.
• Improve drainage. Standing water feeds roots and softens soil beneath cracks. Grade surfaces properly and clear out clogged drains to limit growth opportunities.
• Choose better materials. Surfaces with tight seams, dense joints, or non-porous finishes leave fewer chances for anything to grow through.

When Should You Use Vegetation Control on Commercial Hardscapes?

Once unwanted grass and weeds start creeping into your walkways, RV pads, or gravel zones, prevention alone won’t cut it. You need to shut it down.

While spot-treating with commercial-grade herbicides can be effective in small areas, it’s only as good as your consistency. Miss a patch or let it regrow, and you’re back at square one in a month.

For larger or high-traffic hardscaped areas, you need something stronger and longer-lasting. That’s where Vegetation Control comes in.

Green Drop’s Vegetation Control service is designed for total plant suppression. Not selective weeding, but full, targeted coverage of areas where you want absolutely nothing to grow.

Unlike general weed control (which preserves the surrounding turf), this is for hardscaped, gravel, or industrial zones where vegetation is a nuisance or liability.

• Applied by trained professionals using commercial-grade equipment
• Controls growth at the root level, reducing regrowth over time
• Ideal for RV parking pads, commercial drive lanes, fence lines, gravel storage areas, and utility corridors
• Prevents regrowth for the season, or longer, depending on conditions

Not dealing with a parking pad or industrial zone?

If you're a homeowner tackling weeds in smaller spaces like along your sidewalks, rock beds, or backyard fire pit, we’ve got a residential solution too. Our ClearPath programs are designed specifically for those high-visibility, small-scale trouble spots.

If you’re unsure whether you need Vegetation Control or ClearPath, just ask a GreenKeeper and we’ll help you choose the right treatment for your property’s needs.

When Should You Apply Vegetation Control for Best Results?

In vegetation control, when you take action matters just as much as how. Treating walkways and driveways at the wrong time of year can lead to poor results, wasted effort, and faster regrowth.

• Early spring is prime time for prevention. Applying professional vegetation control before seeds germinate ensures they never get a foothold.
• Late spring or early summer is ideal for follow-up treatments, especially in high-traffic areas like commercial drive lanes or parking pads.
• Treat before weeds go to seed. If you wait too long, those weeds will multiply, spreading into new cracks and seams across your site.
• Inspect hardscapes monthly for new growth, cracks, pooling water, or drainage issues. These small early signs are your best chance to get ahead.
• Avoid heavy snow piling in winter. Snow mixed with salt often breaks down hard-scape seams and promotes spring weed growth in weakened areas.
• Schedule annual vegetation control for known problem zones like gravel storage areas, perimeter fencing, or utility access paths.

Is It Time to Hire a Vegetation Control Service?

If you’re constantly battling regrowth on large hardscaped areas, it might be time to stop treating symptoms and start solving the problem. It’s time to go pro when:

• You’re managing multiple properties and need a scalable, set-it-and-forget-it solution that works across locations
• Seasonal staff turnover means inconsistent treatment, leading to patchy, unpredictable results
• You’re re-spraying every few weeks, and the weeds still keep coming back
• Your maintenance team is spending more time on weeds than actual property upkeep
• Walkways, drive lanes, or gravel areas look overgrown within a month of clean-up
• You’ve received complaints, safety concerns, or noticed surface damage from root growth
• DIY methods are creating more mess than results
• You’re budgeting for weed control every month, but still dealing with the same problem areas

Your Pavement’s Clean Future Starts Here

Unwanted grass and weeds don’t belong in your walkways, parking pads, or driveways, and constantly chasing them with short-term fixes just drains your time and resources.

The smarter move? Prevent regrowth before it starts, with a solution built for commercial spaces. Our vegetation control gives you long-term suppression where you need it most.

Whether you’re in Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Regina, or Saskatoon, we help you maintain control over any hardscaped zone. Ready to stop spot-spraying and start solving the problem? Book a consultation today, and let us show you what a season without weeds really looks like.