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Weeds in Volleyball court #910221

Asked July 17, 2025, 12:43 PM EDT

I have a full size sand volleyball court. What is the easiest and fastest way to get rid of the weeds and gass?

Cuyahoga County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi. There are a variety of approaches you can use. Some are faster or easier than others, but I’m not sure there is a clear winner for fastest AND easiest. The fastest is likely pulling them out by hand, especially if you have multiple people working on it at the same time. Since it is sand, they should be relatively easy to pull out compared to weeds in soil. However, that depends on the weed, and it is still work, so it isn’t necessarily easy. You could also cultivate the sand with a hoe, rake, or similar tool and let the exposed weeds die on the surface. That may or may not be easier than hand pulling depending on the types, quantities, and sizes of weeds you have. Using a non-selective herbicide is a relatively easy option. It only requires spraying the vegetation after carefully reading and following the label directions (including wearing necessary personal protective gear). The spraying process itself is relatively quick, but it your weeds will not be gone instantly. They may not show signs of dying for several days, and they may not be completely dead for several weeks. And unless you pull them up once they are dead, you will still be playing volleyball on dead weeds. So, although it is easy, it is not particularly fast. You can get faster results with a flame torch or something similar (see this brief article from Iowa State University), but that requires special equipment and isn’t as fast as spraying. Yet another option is covering the court with clear plastic and using the sun to kill the weeds, a process known as solarization. It is relatively easy but requires enough plastic to cover your court, and you need to weight it down so it doesn’t blow away. During the summer, this will kill weeds in several weeks. Here is an article on that process from the U. of Minnesota. One option you might consider in the future is using a pre-emergent herbicide. These are chemicals that prevent seeds from germinating, basically eliminating the need to weed if used properly. This article from the U. of Colorado provides a little more information about them. They are typically discussed in the context of lawns, but they can be used elsewhere as well. As for all herbicides, just be sure to read and follow the label directions.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 19, 2025, 1:33 PM EDT

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