It may not be long before your beautiful lawn has become infested with weeds like white clovers, crabgrass, and so many others. These weeds appear quickly and compete against your lawn for nutrients and water that can lead to bald patches and dead zones on your property. The best way to control weeds is with prevention and rigorous weeding.
Understanding Different Types of Weeds
Not all weeds are the same – there are several different types of them, and each can be controlled in different ways. The most common weeds found on your lawn are:
- Dandelions appear in the spring, reseed themselves, and develop deep roots that can grow back if the plant is not removed entirely.
- White Clovers are drawn to soil that is light in nitrogen so applying fertilizer that is heavy in this element will help prevent them from growing.
- Crabgrass can be eradicated by using pre-emergent herbicides and prevented by mowing your lawn slightly longer in length than usual.
- Broadleaf Plantain results from lack of aeration and fertilization to lawn. It has seeds that will spread quickly if the removal process is not precise.
Feed Your Lawn
If your lawn doesn’t have the proper nutrition, then it becomes more susceptible to weed infestation. It’s best to water to where the first 6-8 inches of soil are soaked. This process, when done deeply and infrequently, increases the density and the depth of the roots. Deep roots will take up more space and nutrition which makes it difficult for weeds to grow. This is just one step into getting the perfect lawn that you have always wanted.
Mow Higher Than Usual
Every square inch of your lawn has weed seeds embedded beneath it. However, what causes these seeds to sprout into a weed is sunlight. By mowing higher, your blades of grass will be taller and absorb more light and get that perfect hue of green while the weed seeds remain dormant.
Mulch is A Powerful Ally
Use mulch wherever you can, like underneath bushes and around walkways. It provides temperature control, nutrients, and blocks sunlight from weed seeds. Blocking sunlight with a layer of mulch will stop weeds from germinating and provide your soil with nutrients. A lush layer of mulch is also an excellent way to dress up your property and make it more appealing to look at.
Weed When Wet, Hoe When Dry
The best way to avoid resorting to using harmful chemicals is to remove weeds mechanically. Moist soil softens the grip the roots have in the dirt which makes it easier to pull the entire weed out at once. Dry soil provides better traction for hoes to clear out shorter stemmed weeds by penetrating the soil and getting underneath the roots.
Precise Weeding Leads to Success
While weeding, you’re constantly damaging the layer of earth that keeps the weed seeds dormant in the soil. If you aren’t careful, you’ll allow these seeds the sunlight they need to grow and end up producing more weeds than you’re removing. Make sure to patch up any holes you’ve made with soil or sod and rip out the entire weed so these seeds don’t begin to sprout.
Come Prepared to Destroy Weeds
Weeds are very persistent – so it’s important to remain on a strict weeding schedule to prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed. Make sure that when you’re removing weeds to get all the roots out or they’ll grow right back. You’ll need the right tools and equipment like a hoe, weeder, gloves, and a bucket to put the weeds in.
Need some mulch to start your fight against the weeds? Maybe you need a consultation before you begin your spring cleaning? Greener Horizon has got you covered. We made a promise to our customers to deliver nothing short of exceptional, and we let our work speak for ourselves. Contact us today.
