Sunday, February 10, 2013

Garden of weed-in






 

 
 
 
 
            I have operated and owned a landscaping company for almost 20 years now and as soon as the temperatures start staying consistently warm, we all know that the weeds are going to start sparking up all over the place and the frustration will soon begin both in the lawn and throughout the landscape beds. My experience throughout the years has helped me tackle some of these problems and try to get a grip on issues for my many customers when they need me to resolve and control their property during the growing season. Many preventative measures are quite simple and can be easily broken down in this steps.

  • Spring mulching:  This a very effective way to ensure choking out emerging weeds from the start. You want to make sure that before you apply the mulch to your landscape beds, be sure your beds are leaf and cutter free. Apply a quality mulch and be sure to stay away from any recycled mulch or community compost heaps because they can harbor weed seeds and that would make matters worse ! Going to your local landscape supply yard is always the best route to purchase a good double or triple shredded natural wood mulch. Apply a 3-4 inch thick base evenly throughout the landscape beds and be sure to keep it nice and even and fan out the lumps. Here's an easy little tip to smooth out the mulch: take a leaf rake and turn it upside down and work it back and forth.  You'll be really amazed at how well this works and how nicely it fans out the brand new mulch.
          
  •  Maintain your lawn: Your lawn can be a battle field that the weeds will ultimately win if you don't know a few simple methods to stop them in their tracks. I always suggest to sharpen your mower blades before the season begins and keep on a routine throughout the season. This is very important because dull blades can weaken the grass plants and the ripping and fraying of the grass tips will cause a spreading  fungus that will be extremely harmful to your lawn. I believe the higher you set your mower height is key to maintaining and promoting a thicker more lush lawn and that will naturally choke out the weeds. I recommend a mowing height of  3-4 inches from early spring to mid Fall then you can lower the blades when the temperature is consistently cooler to the height of  2.5 inches.
                   
  • Weeding programs:  Stay on a program, whether it's weekly or biweekly, just maintain  and dedicate at least a few hours of scanning your beds for weeds to pull because just like everything else in life, if you let it go too long, it will be sure to get overwhelming and a real eyesore. When you're pulling weeds, be sure to get as much of the root as possible and try not to just rip the tips off.  If the weeds are too thick and hard to pull out, carry a little digging tool and pop them out. I would also suggest using a weed killer by way of filling up a little bottle that is able to make drops like an eye dropper.  When the weed is pulled and if you see any signs of the weed roots, drip the weed killer on and give it about 10 mins to dry and cover it up.  
                         
  • Fertilizing/Weed control: A weak lawn that has bare spots and is thin can be a breeding ground for weeds to thrive all season long.  It is very important to keep your lawn thick, strong and evenly balanced to promote a natural system of choking out emerging weeds before they even get started. Did you know that having a healthy lawn is a benefit not only to you but to the community by cooling down the environment and the planet? Do your homework and read reviews on a solid weed control company and have them apply at least a 4-5 step program that will supply your turf with nitrogen, selective herbicides and insect control. This process will take a little time so be patient, and you’ll be glad you did.          
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