It really doesn't matter what season you're in, weeds have a way of creeping in and taking over both flower beds and your lawn. They're wily and resilient and seem to find a way to rob your plants of water and nutrients, no matter how much you pull from the ground.
The worst part about weeds is that they spread like there's no tomorrow, and they don't need much to thrive. This is where a hands-on approach to flower bed maintenance is your saving grace.
If you want to stop weeds from taking over, these proactive tactics will stand you in good stead.
1. Don't Disturb Dormant Weed Seeds
The reality is that almost every inch of your garden contains weed seeds. The key to keeping weed growth at bay is to disturb these seeds as little as possible. Most of them live in the top two inches of your soil. The more often you disturb your soil, the more you bring dormant weed seeds to the surface, which then begin to germinate.
Dig only where you need to when cultivating and planting new greenery. Make sure to salvage any disturbed spots with plants or mulch in order to keep weed growth at bay. Check out this mosquito service if your weeds are attracting pests.
2. Mulch is Your Friend
Weeds need very little to survive. All they require is some light and a little bit of water to grow, spread, and take over. This is where mulch is your go-to for starving them out.
If you starve weeds of the light of day, you have a good chance of keeping them under wraps for another season. Good mulch options include wood chips, nuggets of bark, pine needles, and straw. Mulch is also beneficial for your plants because it helps to keep your soil cool and moist. So it's a win-win all around.
3. Pull When Wet, Hoe When Dry
This weeding rule-of-thumb is a great tool to have up your sleeve to keep weeds out of your flower beds. There are certain weeding conditions to stick to--and that's pulling weeds when the soil is wet. It's also a good idea to pull weeds when they're young, don't wait until they are older and bigger.
After it rains is the perfect time to throw on your gloves and get weeding. In contrast, dry conditions mean slicing off your weeds just below with soil line with the sharp edge of a hoe. Make sure to patch over any open spaces with mulch.
4. Off With Their Heads
In some instances, you might not be able to remove weeds completely from the root. This is where chopping off their heads is a good alternative, both in the short and long term.
Known as deadheading, this is the best way to buy yourself a few weeks before weeds might start germinating again. Deadheading essentially forces weeds to use up their food reserves, exhausting their supply of nutrients. This helps to limit their spread.
All in all, chopping off weed heads before they go to seed is always beneficial.
Flower Bed Maintenance Made Easy
The more proactive you are about weeding your flower beds, the easier flower bed maintenance becomes. Try not to leave your weeding until it's completely suffocated your flower bed. As soon as you notice weeds, pull or hoe them out, mulch the ground, and keep close tabs on regrowth.
Want to learn more about agriculture, soil, and weather conditions? Check out the rest of this blog for more and build a picture-perfect garden.
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