How To Keep Weeds Out of Your Landscape and Garden
Weeds are the worst. You have this eye-catching landscaping, a growing garden, beautiful flowers, and it seems like the only thing you notice are these little green sprouts threatening to take over everything you’ve invested so much in.
Even when you retaliate by pulling them up, it seems like they are back the very next day, taunting you. Yeah, weeds are the worst.
But they aren’t indestructible, so you don’t have to put up with them. We deal with weed control and removal all the time, so if you have a weed problem, let us know! To get you started, here are a few tips and tricks for your yard.
Use Mulch to Suffocate Your Weeds
Just like any other plant, weeds need air and sunlight to grow. Most weeds are small enough that you can bury them under a few layers of mulch. Before laying the mulch, dig out any weeds you already see creeping up. Then lay several sheets of newspaper down (or use a landscape fabric if you want to get fancy) before laying down a thick but loose layer of mulch.
When we design landscapes for our clients, we always add landscape fabric down to prevent as many weeds as possible -- although some are frustratingly resilient. If you’ve had your landscaping for a while, it may be time to replace some of the mulch (or rocks, depending on your design preference).
Catch Them Early! Regularly Remove and Mow Weeds
Is pulling weeds effective? It can be, as long as you understand the weed’s growth cycle. There are two types of weeds: annuals and biennials. Annual plants complete their growth cycle in one year, and biennials complete their growth cycle in two years.
With biennials, the first year is all about producing a rosette and a tap root for energy reserves. In year two, the plant bolts into a large plant with many seeds. Pulling both annual and biennial weeds can be effective, as long as you pull them before they go to seed when their roots are still weak. It is best to pull biennial weeds in the first year to provide a better chance at entirely removing the long taproot.
When you pull weeds, be sure to grab them by the base or slightly dig them up. If you pull from the top, you may only get the top half and leave the roots in to wreak more havoc on your landscape.
Should You Use Herbicides for Weeds?
Foliar herbicides, also known as weedkillers, are another way to get rid of these unwanted crops. While pulling weeds can be effective, it can also be strenuous work. Foliar herbicides are fast and effective. However, there are several pros and cons that you should be aware of before taking this route.
Pros of Using Weedkiller
Spraying weedkillers effectively kills individual weeds or large areas covered in weeds.
Weedkillers work fast and can kill weeds within a week of application, sometimes even within the day.
You won’t have to individually remove weeds, and it requires less strain on your back. After the weeds die, you can rake them up in a single pass.
Cons of Using Weedkiller
If weedkillers unintentionally get on other plants, it could potentially harm or kill them.
Exposure to chemical herbicides can cause skin irritation and inhaling the spray can cause respiratory distress. Be sure to avoid direct contact with weedkillers!
Chemical herbicides may interfere with the environment, impacting soil nutrients or leaking chemicals into streams and water systems. Consider a non-toxic herbicide, such as Natural Armor Weed And Grass Killer to avoid some of these problems!
If used correctly and safely, spraying weedkillers on your landscaping or garden can be a quick and effective way to get rid of those pesky weeds!
Household Items that Can Help with Weed Control
To get even deeper into DIY strategies, a few everyday household items can aid your weed control efforts. Vinegar can be a viable alternative to synthetic chemicals. Distilled, white, and malt vinegar all work well in stopping weed growth. However, this is not the most effective long-term solution. It does not always reach the root systems and can sometimes negatively impact nearby plants.
Table salt has also been known to kill weeds, but we do not recommend investing too much into this strategy either. Too much salt can dehydrate the soil and will stop the growth of other desired plants.
While salt and vinegar can work as a temporary fix, the potential to harm the surrounding landscape makes hours of weed pulling seem much more appealing.
Make Sure You’re Cutting Your Grass the Right Height
When you cut your grass too short, it gets weak. Longer grass is able to grow strong and thick and will often crowd out weeds on its own. When the weeds aren’t exposed to as much light, the seeds can’t germinate easily. If you have already somewhat established weeds, they will have a more challenging time competing with the surrounding turf when it’s tall and healthy!
The ideal mowing height depends on the type of grass. For most cold-weather turf, it’s about 2-1/2 inches. Warm-weather turf should be slightly shorter at around 1-1/2 to 2 inches. If you’re unsure of your grass type, take a sample to a local nursery or send us a photo! We can tell you precisely what kind of grass it is and how you can ensure it’s well taken care of!
Local Lawn Care and Weed Control
We are in the business of creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes, so we know how frustrating weeds can be. If you want those annoying weeds gone but don’t want to deal with the constant work, we are here to help! Contact us today for a free consultation!
