Think weeds are gone for the season? Think again. While the dormant season will be here soon, there’s still time for weeds to grow and thrive throughout your garden. Now is a great time to help gain the upper hand. Follow these fall weed control tips to stop the spread of seeds. Your lawn will thank you later.

Fall Weed Control Tips

Leaf clean-up is coming, but for now, shift your attention on your lawn and garden again. Still see any weeds? If not, it doesn’t mean they’re not there working their way into your soil and will be ready to germinate come spring. Stopping weeds from germinating is one of the best pre-emergent methods of weed control. Here are a few more.

1. Snip the Seeds. If you still see weeds out in the garden, get rid of them now. Anything that hasn’t dropped their seeds already will do so soon and then likely return in the spring. Dispose of any weeds or seed heads. Don’t toss them back into the soil or compost pile, since this will only redistribute them back into your garden.
2. Use the Leaves. So, those leaves you’re so worried about having to rake up will actually play a major role in revitalizing your yard. After you collect the leaves, shred them into natural mulch. If there are leaves in your yard, these can be mulched using your mower. Spread a layer a few inches thick across your garden beds. This will help insulate the soil over the winter and act as a weed barrier in early spring. Add more mulch once the weather warms up for more control. Wood chips also act as a weed-preventing mulch under shrubs and trees.
3. Do Not Disturb. You may feel the urge to till your gardens after weeding. However, this could also relocate any dropped weed seed closer to the surface where it has a better chance of germinating. Try not to till in the fall. But if you must, cover the tilled garden with a healthy layer of mulch.
4. Corn Gluten Meal. Spreading this processed corn by-product is another useful method in the fight against weeds. Like mulch, it forms a barrier between the weed seeds and what it needs: hydration and light. You can use it anywhere you don’t want things to grow from seeds. It’s not something you want to spread in your vegetable garden since it will prevent those seeds from germinating as well.

Professional Weed Control

For more tips on how you can get your garden ready for the next growing season, contact Cardinal Lawns. From preventing weeds to providing your lawn and garden with the best care, we’re here to help.