Trying to grow a nutritious garden, a luscious lawn, or luxurious flower beds? No matter what your plant goals are, weeds can make it incredibly difficult to reach those goals. Weeds take over our other plants, grow rapidly, and become very time-consuming to get rid of. However, there are methods out there that can help you prevent those weeds from coming back year after year.
Learn about the best ways to prevent weeds from sticking around.
Mulch will retain soil moisture and keep soil temperatures consistent, creating a healthy environment for your flowers. Another benefit of mulch is that it helps prevent weeds. A few-inch layer of mulch can deprive the weeds of the sunlight that they need to grow.
The daunting task of pulling weeds is another effective way to prevent weeds from returning. This prevention method allows you to pull the weed from the root ensuring that all parts of the plant have been removed from the soil. For easier removal, pull weeds after rain.
Stay ahead of weed growth by stopping them at the source, the seeds. Use a pre-emergent herbicide on your lawn and other necessary areas in spring or summer to prevent the growth of weeds. By stopping the seeds from sprouting, they never grow and you won’t have to pull the weeds in the future.
Using a plastic sheathing or landscape fabric will help keep weeds down under the soil for a few seasons. The covering can also help with soil erosion, however, it will keep other necessary organic matter from the soil so be sure to treat it with appropriate fertilizers.
When preventative measures fail at times, a post-emergent spot treatment can be helpful. Spray the treatment only on the unwanted plant, certain herbicides will kill any plant on contact so be careful where you are spraying the product. For more organic methods, look into using vinegar and hot water for weeds such as dandelions.
Overall, weeds can be a painful, seasonal task taking up a lot of time and effort, but they don’t have to be. It’s important to know how weeds grow in order to determine a proper prevention method for your yard. Need further help and consultation on your yard’s landscape? Contact us at Eichenlaub for thoughtful solutions and services for your landscaping needs.