Enjoying the beauty and yields of a garden, does not have to take great effort. There are ways to prevent many of the annoyances that come with maintaining gardens for enjoyment and harvest. Controlling weeds in and around the yard is a standard annoyance for every gardener.
Fortunately, there are several ways to both kill and prevent weeds in the garden. Prevention of weeds before they start to grow is the best way to combat them. Using mulch, landscaping fabric, and Preen are three strategies for weed control.
Mulch
Mulch is a wonderful way to help stop weeds from taking over the garden. A thick layer of mulch inhibits weeds by covering the soil and stopping weed seeds from accessing the sunlight they need to germinate. Without mulch, bare ground is the perfect place for weed seeds to land and germinate.
Different mulches have different uses. Pebbles and small stones can be considered a mulching material that does break down. Straw is more commonly used in vegetable gardens but tends to contain many weed seeds.
Grass clippings are another popular mulching material. Grass clippings contain water which helps add moisture to the ground. Grass clipping can also add a clumping effect that can prevent oxygen from getting to the plant roots.
The most common mulching material is bark mulch. It gives the garden a clean, finished look while holding down weeds. Wood mulch breaks down over time which means it eventually gets mixed in with the soil as organic matter.
If using wood mulch, make sure to lay down a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch all around the garden for optimal weed prevention and moisture retention. If mulching around trees, bushes, or roses, avoid piling the mulch against the bases of the trunks and stems. Wood mulch needs to be added annually to maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer.
Fabric Barriers
Landscape fabric is another type of material for controlling and preventing weeds in the garden. Landscape fabric is made from plastic fibers in a sheet roll. The fabric prevents weeds from growing by blocking out the sunlight they need to grow. The fabric gets rid of weeds without blocking air and moisture making it an extremely popular option for many gardeners and landscapers.
Landscaping fabric is an effective solution for persistent weeds that spread all over the garden. The inexpensive cost of the fabric makes it ideal for being laid over a large area, to kill weeds in various parts of the garden. Apart from controlling weeds, landscaping fabric prevents the future growth of weeds for days, months, or years.
Preen
Preen is a chemical product for preventing weeds from germinating. Preen products do not kill weeds that already exist in the garden. The best way to use Preen successfully is to pull or spray existing weeds before applying Preen.
Preen comes in sprays and granules for effortless application. Preen needs to be reapplied every 8 to 12 weeks or more often depending on periods of heavy rain or prolonged periods of high heat and humidity. It is important to note that rain or water must immediately follow application to activate the Preen.
There are many ways and alternatives to spraying weed killers in the garden. Chemical weed killers are not beneficial to animals, humans, or the environment. The best way to control weeds is with a plan for prevention.
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