War on Weeds: Perfecting Your Landscape

Many gardeners and homeowners wish to make their yards look nice and tidy. But getting these nice results usually means dealing with one stubborn problem and that is weeds. Weeds make a garden look bad and they also take away nutrients and water from the plants we want to grow. Creating a good plan to tackle weeds is important for making your yard look nice and clean.

Getting to Know Weeds: Your initial strategy for the fight

Before you jump into the fight you need to understand what you are facing. Weeds are basically plants that pop up in places where they aren't wanted. Some plants grow for just one year and spread quickly by seeds. Others live for many years and are harder to get rid of because they have strong roots. Figuring out what kind of weeds you have is the first thing you need to do before choosing how to deal with them.

Managing Culture: The Skill of Stopping Problems Before They Happen

A solid defense is the key to winning. Cultural controls are methods used to stop weeds from growing by changing the environment in your garden. Take a look at these steps:

Put a good amount of organic mulch on the ground like wood chips straw or bark. Mulch blocks sunlight from getting to weed seeds in the dirt which stops them from growing. Also when it breaks down it makes the soil better.

Plant cover crops when the main crops are not growing to take up space and nutrients so weeds can't grow. Clover and rye are good options because they help make the soil better.

When you plant new flowers or shrubs make sure to space them out right so they can fill the area well. This will help keep weeds from taking over.

How machines are managed and directed: Practical Weed Removal

When prevention fails mechanical control takes over. This way of dealing with weeds means actually pulling them out by hand which has been done since people started farming.

If you have a small garden or just a few weeds here and there pulling them out by hand works well. It is easier to get the whole plant out when the soil is wet.

To clear weeds in bigger spaces you should use a hoe to chop them off at the ground level. A scuffle hoe or stirrup hoe is great for getting rid of weeds by cutting them right under the ground.

Mowing and trimming your lawn regularly helps keep the weeds from getting too tall and stops them from making seeds.

Managing Chemicals: Smart application of weed killers

Sometimes you have to use chemical controls like herbicides when dealing with really stubborn problems. But be careful when you use them so you don't hurt other plants or the surroundings.

Selective herbicides focus on certain weeds so you can get rid of them without harming your grass or garden plants.

**Pre-emergent Herbicides:** Use these before the weed seeds start to grow. They help stop yearly weeds but have to be applied at the right time every season.

**Spot Treatments:** If you have occasional weed problems or some that just won't go away using a regular non-selective herbicide can help without ruining everything around it.

**Trying Out New Methods**

Gardening has seen the arrival of new technology and ideas that help with things like controlling weeds. Think about adding these tools to your landscape plan:

Put the landscape fabric under the mulch to help keep weeds from growing. Make sure to cut openings for the plants you want so they can grow freely.

Flame weeding is a way to get rid of weeds that is better for the environment. It works by using propane torches to burn the weeds with heat. It works well for roads and places where cars go.

Weed barrier edging helps keep grass from spreading into garden beds which makes it easier to maintain the edges.

**Beating the Battle Against Weeds**

Sticking with it is important when dealing with weeds. If you check your yard often and do something when it needs it your outdoor space will look great. If you mix some knowledge with a bit of patience and try out different ways to manage things you can really beat weeds for the long run. As you keep working on your method year after year and face each challenge you will see your garden getting a bit better.