Why Weeds Love Growing by Your Driveway, Sidewalks, and Curbs

If you’ve ever wondered why weeds seem to pop up faster and thicker along your driveway, sidewalks, or curbs, you’re not alone! Many homeowners think their lawn care company must have missed a spot during weed control treatments. But the truth is, it has less to do with missed applications—and more to do with what’s under the surface of your lawn.

The Hidden Gravel Base Under Your Lawn

When driveways, sidewalks, and curbing are installed, contractors don’t just pour concrete or lay asphalt right on top of the soil. To prevent cracking and shifting, they extend a gravel base one to two feet out past the visible edge. That means the soil next to your driveway or curb isn’t really soil at all—it’s mostly gravel with just a thin layer of dirt on top.

Over the years, we’ve installed thousands of irrigation systems across Minnesota, and whenever we had to dig near a driveway, it wasn’t unusual to grab a pickaxe just to break through that rocky, compacted layer. That gravel doesn’t hold nutrients or moisture well, which makes it tough for grass to grow thick and healthy. Weeds, on the other hand, don’t mind poor conditions and will happily take over.

The Heat Factor: Why Edges Cook Faster

Another strike against these areas is the heat. Asphalt and concrete absorb sunlight and radiate heat, making the edges of your driveway and sidewalks the hottest parts of your yard. Hot, dry soil stresses your grass but actually gives weeds an advantage, allowing them to sprout and spread much quicker.

Can This Be Fixed?

Technically, yes—you could remove the gravel base and replace it with good-quality topsoil. But let’s be honest, that would be very expensive and rarely practical for homeowners.

Instead, the best approach is to understand that these areas are naturally more prone to weeds. Consistent lawn care and weed control applications will help, but they may never be quite as “perfect” as the middle of your yard where the soil is rich and cool.

What You Can Do

• Keep up with weed control treatments – staying consistent is the key to limiting weeds in these tough spots.

• Water deeply – during hot stretches, make sure the edges of your lawn are getting enough water to cool the soil.

• Edge maintenance – do not trim edges short. The shorter the grass is, the higher the chances of weeds growing.

  
  

👉 So, if you’re seeing weeds by your driveway, sidewalk, or curb, don’t worry—it’s not that your lawn care program isn’t working. It’s simply the nature of those areas. With regular care, you can still keep your lawn looking sharp and minimize those pesky edge weeds.