Getting Rid of Weeds
You may be dreaming of a perfectly landscaped lawn, but getting rid of weeds can be a pain. Once the warm weather starts up, you'll find weeds everywhere. Getting rid of weeds requires constant diligence. You can't expect the weeds to go away overnight. Dealing with weed removal as just another part of your lawn maintenance.
Weeds in the Garden
Weeds pop up in your garden where you least expect them. Even if you've been paying attention, you might find a new weed that seemed to sprout up overnight. Carefully plan your garden so that you know what you should see there. Anything else is a weed that you should get rid of.
When you find a weed, pull it up carefully, taking care to get rid of the full root. If a piece of the root remains in the ground, it may grow up again.
You can prevent more weeds from growing in your garden by laying a thick layer of mulch, two inches or more, around the plants that you do want. Purchase mulch at the gardening store in a variety of colors, such as black, brown, or red.
Weeds in the Lawn
Weeds in your lawn may be harder to see, but they're probably there. Dandelions are often prevalent, and you might also have pricker bushes close to the ground.
Help keep your lawn weed-free by mowing often, with your mower at the highest setting. This allows the grass to grow high, which blocks the sun from reaching new weeds, inhibiting their growth. Aerating your lawn can prevent weeds like crabgrass, especially in soil that is clay-like. You can purchase a tool to aerate the lawn or use shoes with long spikes and walk around.
If you have pricker bushes, you'll need to dig deeply to remove them from the root. Use a small shovel to dig at the roots, and pry the plant out of the ground. Take care to wear gloves when moving it.
Herbicides
Herbicides, or weed killers, can kill the weeds in your lawn over time. Identify the type of weed that you have and choose an herbicide that's formulated specifically to kill your weed. If you're not sure what you have, you can tear it out and take it in to the garden shop for identification.
It's important to note, though, that herbicides are dangerous chemicals. When you spray them on your lawn or garden, they may linger and affect nearby plants. If you have children or pets, consider alternatives before reaching for herbicides.
Weeding Tips
Before you weed by hand, water the area and thoroughly soak the soil. This makes it easier to pull the whole weed out, including the root, because it loosens the soil. Using a hoe or small rake can make quick work of getting rid of weeds, rather than using your hands to pick out individual weeds.
Many weeds have spikes or a sticky coating that helps the weed survive. This can make it difficult to pull the weed out. Always wear gardening gloves to protect your hands when weeding.
