You thought you had done everything you needed to. You water your plants, mow your lawn regularly, and have mounds of mulch.
But those annoying weeds are still coming up.
What could you be doing wrong?
Keep reading to learn about common weed control mistakes and what to do differently.
Improper Watering
Infrequent grass watering is better than regular grass watering. Too much water makes it difficult for grassroots to grow. It also gives weeds an easier place to sprout.
Though underwatering stops weeds, it will hurt your lawn growth and condition.
Hand watering or installing a sprinkler covers the whole lawn surface. This gives weeds the water they need to live.
Switch to soaker hoses or a drip irrigation system. These methods target specific areas of your lawn so you can avoid watering weeds.
Excessive Mowing
If you cut your grass too low, it won’t be able to make enough nutrients.
Light will get through to the soil because the grass is so short. Weeds like crabgrass can grow this way easily.
After mowing, your lawn should be 2 to 4 inches tall.
Besides using the wrong blade, mowing often is a bad idea. This will also lead to grass that is too short. Try to schedule mowing the lawn once a week.
Also Read: The Incredible Benefits of Hiring Lawn Care Services to Mow Your Grass
No Weed Barrier Fabric
Weed barrier or landscape fabric is a simple solution for weed control. This lasting, inexpensive fabric lays on top of the soil.
Weed seeds and the necessary weed nutrients can’t penetrate. You can cut into it to add plants, and they’ll grow without an issue. You don’t have to weed before setting the fabric down.
Add 1 to 2 inches of mulch for extra weed prevention. Too much mulch will help weeds grow.
Skipping the Mulch
Mulch makes weeds easy to remove. The ground stays damp and soft. Mulch is also a natural fertilizer, which is great for your lawn and plants.
Putting mulch over bare soil creates a barrier between the soil and the sun. This helps prevent weed growth.
Apply up to 4 inches of coarse mulch-like bark pieces. Fine mulch such as sawdust should not be deeper than 3 inches.
Double-check that the mulch kind isn’t made with weed seeds.
Also Read: 10 Ways to Keep Your Garden Healthy
Weed Disposal
Take weeds off your lawn after you pull them out. Some kinds, such as purslane, can still release seeds from their flowers.
Another mistake is shallow digging and snapping perennial roots. The roots remaining in the soil will regrow. The perennial root pieces can sprout into more weeds.
Pulling out weeds with your hands might seem like the quickest method. But, if the whole weed doesn’t come up, you haven’t solved the problem.
Only rely on your hands when the ground isn’t dry.
Never dispose of weeds in your compost pile. The seeds won’t die if the temperature isn’t high enough. You’ll be throwing the seeds back into your garden.
Avoiding Weed Control Mistakes
Improving weeding techniques goes a long way. From simply adding mulch or cutting off less grass, you can kill off weeds.
Keep away from common weed control mistakes to make your lawn and garden weed-free.