Dark Dirt - Weed control

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Weed control

We pull, dig, burn, scald, cover and mulch them in an unending battle of wills. They have millions of years of know how imbedded into their cells. We have a dream.

Every gardener envisions the perfect lawn or garden. Lush, green and weed free. Every weed seeks a perfect home, fertilized, well-watered, pampered soil. So in our efforts to create the perfect lawn or garden, we create the perfect home for weeds. So what can you do?

Understand the enemy

You can't win the war if you don't know whom you're fighting. Plants evolve for one reason ... to multiply. Their whole existence is defined by their ability to produce more weeds. For most, this is accomplished with seeds. If you can kill the seed or prevent it from claiming your soil as home you have practically won the war.

Spring cleaning

The best time to start weed control is in the spring. Young weeds have little roots that can be pulled out easily, especially after a rain. It is worth the effort to pull them out now. Make sure you dispose of them. Don't put them in your compost bin or you will propagate the healthiest crop of weeds in your neighborhood.

Lay down a barrier

No doubt you have a few neighbors who don't share your passion for weed eradication so you must prepare for future invasions. Weed control fabric is a dark cloth-like fabric that allows water to pass, but not light. Seeds that may be sitting snuggly in your soil waiting for the temperature to rise will be trapped. Score one for us.

Topping this with mulch is added protection, not to mention that it looks a lot better than the black cloth. Two to four inches of mulch will not only deter weeds it will maintain moisture and reduce your need to water. The sunnier the bed, the more mulch is needed. This is not the time to be stingy. Pile on the mulch.

What to do if one penetrates the front line

The weed control fabric and mulch will save hours of pulling, and back-breaking labor but some tricky ones will get through. Survey your beds weekly and pull out any new weeds that are growing.

If you find weeds in hard to pull areas other options are available. A little hot water poured directly on the weed will melt the protective coating on the leaf. The plant will rapidly loose moisture and die with in a few days. For more stubborn weeds add vinegar. Be warned it will kill anything it contacts. It is best to reserve this strategy for walkways and gravel driveways.

Heavy Artillery

Chemicals also can be used to control weeds. These are often the choice for lawns or very specific applications. Choosing the correct chemical requires some understanding of the types of chemical weed control products.

Pre emergence herbicides control the seeds that are lying dormant in the soil. Post emergence herbicides kills the weeds you can see. Many lawn care weed control systems work this way.

Contact herbicides, such as roundup weed killer are designed to kill what they touch. This works on shallow root weeds but tough perennial weeds with strong, deep roots often grow right back. For these you may need a translocated herbicide. The chemical is absorbed by the leaves or roots and spread to the rest of the plant.

Garden warriors all around the world have taken up their spades and sprayers in an effort to learn how to kill weeds in the most efficient way.

What they have learned is the best weed control method is actually a healthy lawn or garden.

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