Nothing can make you hate gravel more than the painstaking process of removing all the weeds from between the rocks. There are ways to stop weeds from growing in gravel without dangerous chemicals with alternative solutions like boiling water and vinegar, but the effectiveness is debatable and doesn't always get the plant roots. Altogether, this creates an effective tool against even the most pesky weeds, whether they are vines or woody pieces. Plus, its unique shape means it can get to roots and stems even in loose gravel. But when it comes to gravel, you need a different tactic.