Concerned about intrusive plants? Learn about eight prevalent weed species and strategies to eradicate them effectively.
In the quest for a lush, weed-free garden, various integrated approaches can help combat common garden weeds such as purslane, crabgrass, Canada thistle, bindweed, prostrate spurge, yellow salsify, lawn burweed, and pokeweed.
Mulching plays a significant role in this battle. Applying several inches of organic mulch, like wood chips or straw, blocks sunlight, preventing weed seed germination and growth. Mulch also shades emerging weeds, making them easier to remove manually. However, care should be taken to avoid careless mistakes with mulching.
Landscape fabric, a breathable weed barrier placed under mulch or soil, is another effective method. This allows water and air to reach plants but blocks sunlight to weeds, making it especially useful in flower beds and vegetable gardens.
Physical barriers like edging are also beneficial. Creating crisp, clean edges with tools or materials such as plastic, metal, or bricks limits weed spread from surrounding areas, particularly for creeping weeds like crabgrass and quackgrass.
Hand pulling and routine maintenance are crucial for controlling perennial and deep-rooted weeds. Early and regular weeding, particularly for weeds like Canada thistle and pokeweed, is crucial before they set seed or spread further.
Selective herbicides are also useful in the fight against weeds. Products that combine fertilization and weed control can be applied in spring or fall to prevent and control crabgrass and broadleaf weeds effectively.
Additional tips include applying water and fertilizer specifically to desirable plants to reduce weed germination between them. Cover crops can also suppress weed growth by acting as living mulch but must be managed to prevent them from becoming weeds themselves.
Eco-friendly supplementary methods include vinegar-based sprays and flame weeding for spot treatments but these tend to be more effective on young weeds.
For specific weeds, certain methods prove more effective. For example, before the weed has established, it can be dug out or spot-treated with herbicide. Gathering and destroying any berries left behind after the plants are removed can help prevent pokeweed from coming back.
Hand-pulling weeds when they are immature or spot-treating with herbicide can help control prostrate spurge. The use of mulches and weed barriers like thick black plastic are more effective in controlling purslane spread.
A selective pre-emergent herbicide prior to germination, or a post-emergent herbicide during the growing phase, can help control crabgrass. Larger plants of lawn burweed can be pulled out at the root prior to seeding, or controlled with herbicide applications in late winter and early spring.
Products to aid in these methods, such as the Garden Guru Hori Hori Knife and Scotts Nature Scapes Mulch from Lowes, as well as various weed barrier fabrics, are available from third party vendors on our platform Shop.
In conclusion, persistence and combination methods are key for long-term success in controlling common garden weeds.
In the home-and-garden realm, landscape fabric can act as an efficient weed barrier when placed under mulch or soil, as it allows water and air to reach plants but hinders sunlight for weeds. A lush, weed-free garden can be achieved through careful mulching practices, such as applying organic mulch like wood chips or straw, which blocks sunlight and prevents weed seed germination and growth.
