When you first put garden beds in, they tend to look fresh and pristine. You want them to stay this way, of course. So, how do you ensure they don't become overrun and overgrown by weeds in the next couple of months? Here are a few key strategies.
Apply a pre-emergent weed killer
If you only follow one tip presented in the article, make sure it is this one. A pre-emergent weed killer does not actually kill weeds; it prevents them from ever growing. It contains chemicals that interfere with the germination process of seeds. In other words, it prevents any weed seeds from turning into weeds. Most pre-emergent weed killers come in a pellet form. You scatter the pellets over your garden beds, and each time it rains or you water your beds, a little more of the active substance rinses out of the pellets and into the soil. In this way, pre-emergent weed killers can give you months of weed protection. Check the label to see how often you need to re-apply the product. Some need to be re-applied monthly, while others last all season.
Water your garden beds
Sometimes people avoid watering their garden beds because they think they'll just be giving the weeds a better chance of thriving. But actually, weeds are more likely to take over when water is scarce. Weeds are tough. They can thrive even if there's not much water around. The plants you selected for your garden are probably not as tough and may suffer once the water becomes more scarce. This gives the weeds a chance to take over. If you instead keep your garden beds well watered, then your plants will stay strong and better able to out-compete the weeds.
Apply mulch
Mulch does not just exist to keep your garden beds looking pretty. It also forms a barrier that makes it harder for weeds to germinate. The tiny, baby weeds don't receive sunlight through the mulch, and so they never quite develop fully. Wood mulch is a common option. It's affordable and also helps add nutrients to the soil. Stone is another good choice and has the advantage of lasting much longer. However, it costs more than wood mulch.
If you follow these tips, you will keep your garden beds weed-free or close to it. You can learn more about weed control by reaching out to a landscaping company in your area.
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