Weed control is a pesky part of summer gardening.
It’s a battle. It’s a fight that we all face this time of year. Unwanted weeds can all too quickly take over. They move in, they settle in, and they take over the yard, from your lawn to your flower beds.
Jerry Goodspeed, with USU Botanical Gardens, shared strategies to help you win the war on weeds.
At the beginning of summer, weeds are usually small, and the weather is cooler. This combination makes it seem like weeds are easier to control. We’re also full of energy from the winter and eager to start working in our gardens. However, as the temperature rises, so does the growth rate of weeds.
“Once we get to 100 degrees, you’re thinking, ‘well, they’re just weeds.’ But pretty soon they overtake,” Jerry said. “You’ve still got to keep on it, even though it’s hot.”
Understanding What You’re Up Against
A weed is essentially a plant that’s out of place. Some plants, however, have no place at all and are always considered weeds. Knowing your weed is an important part of the battle. Understanding if it’s an annual or perennial helps determine the best method of control.
Lawn Weeds
Watering plays a significant role in weed control. By watering deeply, we create an environment that’s perfect for grass and not for weeds. Most weeds, especially annual ones, are shallow-rooted.
“If you’re watering deep, letting the top dry a little bit, and getting deep grass roots, that will help,” Jerry explained. To do that, you’ll want to water less, but for a longer amount of time.
Adjusting the height of your mower can also help. The taller your mower is, the better. A taller mower prevents sunlight from reaching the soil.
“If you let it grow about two and a half to three inches, which is about as high as most mowers will go, it creates a healthier lawn,” Jerry said. “It thickens up better and helps shade out some of the seeds so they don’t germinate.”
Products for Lawn Weed Control
- Pre-emergents are good for controlling annual weeds. Apply twice a year, once at the end of April and again at the end of June.
- Leaf killers kill the leaves of the plant. They are an organic control option.
Flowerbed Weeds
Mulching is a great way to start controlling weeds in your flowerbeds. After planting your flowers, apply a good mulch, such as soil pep.
“Put it on at least an inch to two inches thick and that will reduce the amount of annual weeds you’re going to get,” Jerry emphasized.
Planting a thick flower bed can also help, as the plants become a natural mulch and cover.
Garden Weeds
Regular hand weeding is still a must. It can be therapeutic and allows you to get back to nature.
Also, consider planting raised beds. They’re easier to maintain, easier to weed, and provide good drainage for your plants.
Using natural mulches like paper, straw, or cardboard in your garden can also help control weeds. “They’ll slowly break down,” Jerry said. “We’ve put cardboard right in the rows so we don’t have any weeds, and by the end of the year, it’s pretty well broken down.”
Find more gardening advice at garden.usu.edu.
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