Now that the weather is getting warmer, the grass is getting greener and the weeds are preparing to pop. While some seeds have been laying dormant over winter in your lawn and garden beds, there are ways to help stop weeds from germinating and taking over.

How to Prevent Weeds

There’s no way around it. Weed control takes work. Whether you’re preventing germination or pulling young sprouts, if you don’t want weeds, you’re going to have to act fast. There are preventative options for easy, eco-friendly weed control. Here are a few:

1. Mulch: Apply a layer of wood chips, shredded leaves, or other natural barrier around trees and plants in garden beds. Not only does this help to block sunlight and prevent weed seeds from germinating, but it also regulates soil temperature, maintains moisture, and provides beneficial nutrients as it breaks down.
2. Barriers: Lay cardboard, newspaper, or landscape fabric under new gardens to create a physical barrier against weed growth. The cardboard and newspaper breaks down naturally overtime, but the fabric may stick around for years.
3. Minimize Soil Disruption: While working in your lawn and garden this spring, try not to till or dig deeply into the soil. This can bring more weed seeds to the surface. If you’re preparing new beds, it’s best to use mulch or the barriers mentioned above.

Another way to help prevent weeds in gardens is to plant cover crops. This may not help with prevention now, but it’s good to remember for the future. Fast-growing plants like clover, buckwheat, or rye can be used to outcompete weeds and improve soil health between planting seasons. Of course, if you’re not careful these spreaders can infiltrate your lawn and be considered weeds as well, so plant cautiously.

How to Stop Weeds Now

If weeds are already starting to appear in your lawn and garden, there’s still time to act to prevent widespread growth.

1. Pulling: Remove any existing weeds by the root. If you just pull the top and the root remains, the weed will grow back. Taking care of weeds as early as possible helps prevent them from germinating new seeds and spreading.
2. Digging: Some weeds are harder to pull than others. This is especially true for perennials that have an established root. If you can’t get to the root by hand, use a trowel or shovel to get it all out.
3. Natural Methods: You can try preventing germination by spreading corn gluten meal in the garden. Pouring boiling water over weeds in tight spaces also helps kill weeds, but these option require multiple applications.
4. Chemical Control: There are several types of herbicides used to treat weeds. Pre-emergent products are more effective before weed seeds germinate. Apply these now (in the late winter, early spring) to prevent weeds. Once the weeds appear, a post-emergent product can be used throughout the year to spot-treat weeds. Use caution when using any chemicals around desired plants, grass, pets, or people.

The key to weed control is to remove anything when you first see it. If you let it grow, it’s sure to spread and create future weed problems.

Long-Term Weed Management

If you don’t want weeds in your lawn or garden, it’s going to take some regular maintenance. Healthy plants and grass is better at overcrowding weeds. Since you want your plants and grass to thrive anyway, it’s one more reason to ensure they’re properly fed, watered, and maintained. Check for weed growth regularly, especially in areas you’ve dealt with them before. If you act fast, you can help improve the look of your lawn and garden, stop weeds, and prevent their return.

For help with regular lawn and garden maintenance, contact the specialists at Cardinal Lawns. We offer customized lawn care services that help prevent and treat weeds while bringing your yard back to life.

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