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Yes, weeds will grow through pea gravel but you can prevent this during the installation process. Install a weed barrier underneath pea gravel and swap it out every three years to keep weeds at bay.

Ultimately, pulling weeds vs. spraying them depends on what’s happening in your yard and your personal preferences. Manual weed removal doesn’t introduce any chemicals into your landscape, targets specific problematic plants, produces immediate results, can be free if you go the DIY route, and is inexpensive with a weed service if you only have a handful of weeds. On the other hand, spraying is often preferable for severe weed infestations and situations involving difficult-to-pull weeds because it treats multiple weeds at once, is usually more effective long-term, is less time-consuming, and costs less when done by a pro.

Yes, Johnsongrass is a hard weed to kill. It has the ability to grow fast and spread even quicker, so it requires a detailed plan and thorough application to eliminate it. The best plan of action is to kill Johnsongrass while the weed is establishing itself by hiring a lawn care professional or following the steps above. 

The fastest ways to kill weeds and unwanted grass include burning them, pouring boiling water on them, or pulling them out by hand, as these methods work almost instantaneously. For a quick-acting solution that works within a few hours, you can use a commercial-grade herbicide like glyphosate or a DIY vinegar, salt, and dish soap mixture. While effective, be aware that commercial herbicides introduce chemicals into your lawn. The slowest method for killing weeds is to starve them of sunlight and nutrients using mulch or fabric covers.