“What IS this stuff growing in my gravel driveway? It looks like a sort of alien pond scum but growing on terra firma. In addition to looking gross, walking on it can be hazardous because it’s extremely slippery!”
“IT” first appeared after several days of warm, wet weather a couple months ago. At the time, not much attention was paid to it, and after a few dry days it went away … or so we thought.
Then more rain, accompanied by high temperatures and equally high humidity, it was b-a-c-k, and spreading. Getting rid of this gross growth so it won’t spread into the lawn (or is it too late?) is the issue.
If you’re one whose property has been skipped over by “random, scattered” storms this summer, you probably don’t have this problem, but read on because you might see it in the future.
This seaweed – like gooey green mass is possibly Nostoc, a cyanobacteria that can grow on grass, stone, or concrete. Usually it’s “happiest” in low areas that drain poorly, conditions that support a number of unwelcome growths in our lawns and landscapes. Much like mushrooms, certain conditions support its emergence, although it can remain desiccated and dormant in lawn or driveway for weeks and months.
Nostoc algae or nostoc balls (Cyanobacteria Nostoc spp.) in gravel.
Photo copyright, Ashley Kulhanek
While Nostoc isn’t harmful or toxic, it looks weird and as mentioned, is very slippery. Drier weather and low humidity cause it to retreat, but will likely pop back with the next round of rain showers.
Management options range from baking soda (it really works, according to online comments) to removing small infestations with a shovel. Improving drainage in and foregoing irrigation of those areas may help long-term, but short-term not so much.
Raking the stuff is not recommended, as that just breaks up and spreads the algae further. Moss and algae sprays are effective in some situations but even they primarily suppress, not eliminate, the material. Other treatments are being tested; meanwhile be aware of safety issues associated with the algae, and realize the weather conditions that created it’s appearance may not occur again for several years.
By Sallie Lee, Urban Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Contact Sallie at leesall@aces.edu.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) operates as the primary outreach organization for the land-grant functions of Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. ACES is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. Educational programs of ACES serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin.
I live about 200 miles north of Toronto, Canada, and I’ve been dealing with this for about 5 years. We live in a forested area near a lake, with a long gravel driveway. It first started as a small patch that I thought was goose droppings, and has since spread quite a lot around the property despite my best efforts to get rid of it. I have been finally having great success with liquid pool chlorine. It’s the same as household bleach but much greater concentration. I do think it works better when it’s dried out because it absorbs the chlorine better. The only problem is that if you miss a spot, it just continues to spread, so you have to keep on it until it’s completely gone. And unfortunately, it even survives our harsh winters up here! 😐
Another idea
There is only one product that I know of which is scientifically proven to kill Nostoc with as little as one application. That is the herbicide called
Scythe. Unfortunately, Scythe only comes in 2.5 gallon containers and costs about $180 US dollars plus shipping. (Roundup will NOT kill it at all. Don’t waste your time.)
I have also read that burning the Nostoc with propane torches (aka “weed torches”) can work as well. Harbor Freight sells them for $20-$30
and then you just need a propane tank.
Best of luck with this nasty stuff.
Nostoc is a cyanobacteria, so erythromycin and other antibiotics will kill it.
Another piece of advice on Nostoc- Thanks
OK guys, here are some things about this stuff. Some of you are blaming its appearance on Roundup. However, what is happening is that you have removed the competition cover which now allows it more access to sunlight. We have never used Roundup. It spreads very readily from place to place by way of shoe sole treads, tire treads, soil working equipment, dozers / shovels, even pets ( as our dogs run through the lush blooms, it catches up between the pads and tracks everywhere ) . Remember – # 1 – its a bacterium, so it only takes a minute amount to start a new infestation and Remember #2, it is a great hitchhiker. The stuff is getting to be very prevalent in commercial / industrial yards, and nobody pays attention to where they step anymore – then it tracks home. Improve your biosecurity to minimize new infestations.
Good information- Thanks
Noxall (granules). Purchased at Home Depot. Applied to my driveway just as another weedkiller, but this spring surprisingly found the driveway clean of that slimy algae. I mean – none! After 4-5 years of growing infestation.
Great news!
I have had good results with quick lime. It will take years to get rid of it though. I use a sifter and cover it while it is wet after a rain. I have killed it in one area but I have it in another now. I have been using the quick lime for about 3 years.
There is a product on the market called Preen which is a pre-emergence that will control some weeds in mondo and liriope. While I have not used it many folks here say it is effective
Agricultural lime pellets spread like fertilizer, on driveway. Can treat 1000 sq ft. for under $4.00 at tractor supply. Works amazing
Thanks- heads up folks, another Nostoc solution
Has anyone taken a rake to an area of that stuff? Well, I did a small area today to see if I could spray the gravel off. I couldn’t believe how hard that stuff had become and is binding the gravel together like glue! There’s a good 3-4 ” of gravel underneath that I had to get real wet with the hose then use my plastic rake to chip away to unbind the gravel. What small area I did now looks like I had fresh gravel put down.
i use straight out bleach, not diluted, seems to be working, have had many rain storms, not growing back.
Definitely going to try this. I do use Roundup on my gravel driveway, but I have a small lake within 150 yards and I have quite a few Canadian geese that like to wander my yard and driveway and blessing me with lots of land mines. I suspect their droppings are seeding everything with the Nostoc. I have read that Roundup kills beneficial bacteria in the soil (and in my gut if I eat produce containing Roundup residue.) Perhaps the absence of those bacteria would explain why the Nostoc never took hold before I began using the Roundup out of frustration with the weeds. I am wondering if throwing a little quicklime – danger: caustic to skin – on the driveway might help kill the Nostoc, I’m almost scared to try that, but I’m getting tired of nearly slipping down on the Nostoc!
For our readers- Here is Bobby’s thoughts
try straight bleach, in sprayer, do not dilute, it’s killing mine, we’ve had straight rain for weeks, places i sprayed are not coming back so far.
Do you wait until the slim dries or put it on whenever?Thanks.
When should I treat Nostoc with a herbicide. When it is wet and spongy and swollen or when it is dried up and like a big flakey ash?
Thank you for any advice!
Grace D
Sorry, I am not sure. Maybe some of the previous comments might answer your question.
Baking soda works. Buy commercial for cost-effectiveness. Non-poisonous to environment. I would avoid Roundup on such large areas. Baking soda works because it’s alkaline. So does lime for the same reason. Plus wood ashes (wood ashes are used in making lye soap, so very alkaline) work. I have used baking soda and wood ashes underneath acid-loving cedar trees and it does not hurt them.
Found this on a few websites and tried it myself and …….. it worked after a couple of applications a couple of weeks apart!!
“I have read your article as I have been troubled with this Nostoc Commune on my limestone driveway but I believe I have found a cheap and safe cure.
I mixed 1 kg Dri-Pak soda crystals [washing soda, sodium carbonate] with hot water in 10 ltr watering can and when dissolved filled can with cold water, then using a fine rose I sprayed approximately 7 sq yds per can. I repeated this about 2 weeks later.
My driveway is completely clear and has been for 5 months.
I have found that most people that have been troubled with it have used Roundup, I don’t know if this is a coincidence.
I posted this on Gardeners World and 3 people so far have thanked me as it worked for them.”
Folks Look at this solution
I too along with my father and some friends didn’t have this green goo growing in our driveways for many years until we all got diesel pickups and we thought that it was a byproduct from the diesel exhaust because algae will grow in diesel fuel. But we all started using Roundup at about the same time to kill the weeds and grass that came up every spring. After about 7 years +/- the diesel pickup moved on but the green goober was back every spring up until it would turn black and dry out from the summer heat, and we continue on using Roundup every spring and mid-summer to kill the weeds and grass. I often thought that maybe the Nostoc was a byproduct of the weed killer but just wasn’t for sure, but now after reading about it from someone else having the same problem and using the same weed killer has me thinking that it’s more than likely so.
Great Share!
See http://www.canr.msu.edu/news/nostoc_a_green_jelly_like_substance_growing_in_lawns
or https://www.hunker.com/12468677/how-to-get-rid-of-nostoc-algae
or https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/shared/Documents/Publications/NurseryChristmasTree/NurseryResearchBlueAlgae.pdf
Really interested to read all of this. I’m confused as to whether it is toxic to animals or not. Can anyone confirm?
I’ve read that it’s toxic to dogs – that’s why I came to this thread. I need something to kill it quickly before they discover it. I don’t care if it kills what little grass I have or not – my backyard is full of gravel. Suggestions?
Ok, suggestions are all through the comments and Ask John sections. Lots of thoughts. I have not experienced Nostoc, thank goodness
I sure hope not Trish. My yorkies run around in the driveway and yard and lately they have started licking their pads when they come in!
I used round up early this year in my gravel driveway to rid weeds. I never had a nostoc issue until this year and after using round up. coincidence? During a dry spell when the nostoc was going dormant I treated entire areas with baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, 50 lb bags from agway.
It turmed the areas white and remained that way for many days of dry weather. there appeared to be no nostoc in the treated areas, however after yesterdays rain ALL the nostoc is back in same areas where it was before and even after treatment with the baking soda in those same areas. so the baking soda obviously did not kill it.
Everywhere I sprayed round up I now have this awful stuff, they should have to pay for removal of it. Never using round up again.
Thanks for your infomation. We noticed it on our gravel drive last year. Not noing what it was we raked it. Big mistake. This year we have 3 times more. Great to no about the baking soda though. Here in New Zealand we have Binn Inn so will go buy in bulk and wait for the sun to come out.
Thanks for the information- john
Ho did you get rid of Nostoc
Seen all the notes below- I have absolutely not idea
I have this in my driveway. Wanted to try baking soda. Wondering do I do it when there are no days of no rain?
I do not know- BGT friends, help her out- john
Do you think while it is dormant, that it could be burned of, in gravel?
I really have no idea. Lots of comments here and in “Ask John” section.
I sprayed my driveway affected areas with diluted bleach and seemed to kill it but it came back same areas many days later. So during dry spell I tried the sodium bicarbonate baking soda and it was dry for many days also seemed to kill it but its back in all same areas after a rain so baking soda does not kill it
think i wrote calcium carbonate instead of sodium bicarbonate for baking soda, lol, in any case it doesnt work. didnt work in my driveway anyway after long dry spell it just rained and entire treated area is covered in same slime again after 50 lb treatment days prior
calcium carbonate baking soda does NOT work I tried it and as soon as area got wet many days later the nostoc was right back in exact areas treated with baking soda
My pond is full of it and i have tryed everything i even killed my fish but we drained it now we had started over and it was fine until it rained now it is back again what can i use that wont kill my fish i replaced
I would contact Auburn Extension (ACES) and get that advice from them. They can get that information for you
I am desperate, have a long driveway, tried picking it up after it dried, but too much.
At least I learned not to rake it, did that also. Any new info would be greatly appreciated.
I looked it up as I know nothing about this issue. Call Sally Lee at the Hanna Center at The Birmingham Botanical Garden. She has recently written on the subject. The Botanical Gardens main number is 205-414-3950.
Gisela,
we also have a long gravel drive. ( Something not mentioned is of concern, I feel…could we have transferred this stuff to 2 other locations.)
We have a steep drive and on really wet days, it is very slippery and dangerous. Walking on it, requires safety measurements too.
I was at my wits end, until I found hope from a post last month on this site.
I waited for a 2 day forecast of no rain, ended up being 3. I had a large bag of baking soda so I spread it on a 10 x 10 test area. It works great!!!
Currently, the forecast is for almost a week of dry weather. I’m going tomorrow to buy several large bags of baking soda. I’m concentrating on the tire wheel paths in my first round of application, then the rest.
Did the baking soda work?
Back in March I slipped on this stuff in Kentucky and broke my leg. Now that I am able to walk again my goal is to kill it before it gets me. 😏
We had a little bit of it last year now it is everywhere on our gravel driveway. It’s like a plague.
MB,
Yes, my test area of the 10×10 treated with dry Baking Soda is still Nostoc free.
I tried the solution suggested by someone that used Baking soda diluted in water and the results are not visual to me yet.
I wondered how burning it would work so I tried a small area and burned my burnable non-toxic trash on it…results seem positive so far.
New area is growing in front of my garage, right where I park.
During the sunny days, I covered it with a tarp to block the sun….no major results yet..will be using Baking Soda when it dries out.
We’ve had a lot of rain recently, so the Nostoc is at its slimy best.
Taking advantage of the soaked ground, I worked in the rain pulling ditches, moving the water source away from the large Nostoc area.
…..for now, I wait for a dry spell and will use Baking Soda.
Thanks for your help
Do you wait till the summer and it is dry before applying baking soda?
Rosetta in her post says she waits until a dry spell to apply
Where do you get bags of baking soda and what size are they? I’ve only seen it packaged in one pound boxes in the grocery store.
Sam’s has large bags.
Costco. Ace Hardware. Lowe’s. Pool supplies.
baking soda DOES NOT work nostoc comes right back in same place. looks like it might be working as soon as area gets wet again the nostoc returns. baking soda does nothing but appears to do something when in fact it does nothing to kill it
dont bother it doesnt actually work. you can get 50 lb bags of sodium bicarbonate at agway but it didnt work on my driveway was a waste of money
Pool suppy area at walmart has some b acc gs maybe 10lbs
How long before you see results?
I have no idea. Any one please help- john
how do you kill this stuff
That is tough other than digging it out. Repeated applications of round-up herbicide in the summer.
Round up does not kill it.
Good to know
Roundup promotes Nostoc. Big mistake to try that.
Thanks for telling everyone
this may be the reason I have nostoc in my driveway I used round up to kill the growth in gravel drive, now I have both small weeds growing and now nostoc,.. and baking soda does not kill the nostoc I treated it completely and it came right back after the first rain to prove the baking soda had no affect.
I have purchased spectracide immunox fungicide multi purpose from lowes read it would kill it
Let us know if it works as many folks want a control