Weeds take away from the beauty of your lawn and compete with your plants for water and nutrients. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to prevent and control weed growth. In this guide, you’ll find practical solutions to stop weeds from taking over your garden. From using pre-emergent herbicides to more hands-on methods like scorching, you’ll find everything you need to keep your yard looking its best.

1. Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicide

One of the most effective ways to stop weeds before they even appear is by applying a pre-emergent herbicide. This type of herbicide works by preventing weed seeds from germinating, creating a protective barrier that blocks weeds from taking root.

For best results, apply pre-emergent herbicide early in the growing season, before weed seeds have a chance to sprout. In most regions, this means applying it in early spring, when soil temperatures reach about 55°F for several days. It’s important to apply it before you see any weeds emerging. You can also reapply in late summer or early fall to prevent cool-season weeds like chickweed or henbit from growing.

Be sure to water your lawn lightly after applying the herbicide to help activate it. Always follow the instructions on the product label to ensure proper application and avoid harming your grass or desirable plants.

2. Use Landscape Fabric and Edging

Landscape fabric, also known as “weed barrier,” is a plastic woven fabric designed to prevent weeds from growing between border plants. You can also use it to stop weed growth on gravel driveways, paths and patios. The fabric is water permeable, meaning moisture can pass through to keep your plants healthy.

To apply landscape fabric, roll it out over your flowerbed and cut holes to plant border perennials and annuals. The fabric can prevent light from reaching any weeds that sprout in the gaps, smothering and killing them. Stop the fabric from shifting or rolling up at the sides by securing it with heavy rocks or landscape pins.

There’s no need to mulch on top of landscape fabric, but some homeowners prefer to disguise the fabric’s appearance. Bear in mind that shallow-rooted weeds can still germinate in some mulches, so the weeds could regrow if you cover the fabric with compost or topsoil. To avoid this issue, consider applying a decorative mulch that’s inhospitable to weeds. Gravel, cocoa shells and bark chippings are all excellent options.

Installing garden edging along the edges of your flowerbeds can also help prevent weeds from spreading. Over time, wooden edging can break down in moist soil, so it’s best to use plastic or metal edging to create a durable, impenetrable barrier. Bury the edging partway, leaving several inches under the soil surface to stop weeds from encroaching on your lawn.

3. Identify Weeds

While dandelions are easy to identify, thanks to their bright yellow flowers, other weed types can be more challenging to categorize. Figuring out which weeds you have in your garden is essential because different species require different treatment methods.

Identifying weeds can also help you adapt your care practices to make your yard less hospitable and keep weeds out of your garden. Otherwise, you risk inadvertently assisting the weeds to grow faster and stronger. Simple steps, such as altering your mowing height or watering frequency, can become powerful weed-prevention solutions once you know what you’re dealing with.

There are several ways to identify the weeds growing in your garden. Weed identification apps are probably the easiest tool for beginners because they can determine the weed type using a photo. However, they may not recognize less common weed varieties. Area-specific taxonomic weed keys contain information about all the weeds commonly found in your local area, although they’re often difficult for non-experts to read. Consider contacting a lawn care professional to help you identify weeds if DIY methods don’t work.

4. Scorch Weed Seedlings

Scorching weeds with a flame gun is another effective (and satisfying) way to kill weeds without chemicals. Flame guns can damage adjacent plants, so they’re best used on patios, paths and driveways where you don’t want any plants to grow.

Moist weeds won’t burn effectively, so this method is most suitable for dry days. Apply the flame to the weed and allow it to burn the entire plant to prevent deep-rooted weeds from regrowing.

Call the Garden Care Experts

These weed maintenance tips offer several effective ways to keep weeds out of your garden. However, it takes patience to completely eradicate unwanted plants from your lawn and flowerbeds. Keep treating your weed problem regularly and combine hand or chemical weeding with long-term solutions like landscape fabric to prevent new growth.

If weeds get out of hand or you struggle to keep on top of weed prevention in a larger garden, the experts at Lawn Doctor are here to help. Our lawn care services keep grass in tip-top condition to stop weeds from flourishing, and we can provide tailored weed control for tackling weeds in borders and other areas. Contact us today to request a quote and discuss your lawn care needs with a member of our team.