Not only are weeds an eyesore for landscape design, they can actually be harmful to your garden and yard. Weeds compete with your lawn and garden for water, nutrients, sun, and space. There are also parasitic weeds which will attach to host plants, slowly depleting them of life. Weeding is extremely important for garden and yard care and doesn’t have to be a horrible and tedious task if you go about it with the right mindset. Personally, the only way I get through a tedious task like weeding is to realize how satisfying it will be to see how much you’ve accomplished. Instant gratification is definitely not something that should be associated with gardening, and the outcome is so much sweeter knowing how hard you worked to accomplish it.
Grab the right tools
Now that we’re in the right frame of mind, let’s get to the technical stuff. First off, you will need the correct tools in order to weed properly and efficiently. Regardless of what some people may think, weeding does not simply include using your hands to pull weeds. If you merely pull a weed out and do not remove its roots entirely, it can grow back, deepen its roots, set seeds and will be a recurring and utter pain in your rear. In order to remove the plant fully, you must actually dig into the soil. Try using a cultivator for shallow rooted weeds or a hoe or shovel for deeper roots. Before you go out to your garden, make sure you have all the necessary tools for the job: a pair of gloves, a bucket, a cultivator, a hoe, a shovel and some pruning shears.
Use the right technique, depending on the weed
Be aware, there is no foolproof way to completely avoid weeds. Seeds are in every square inch of your garden, but only the top couple inches will germinate. Be sure to limit the amount of soil you dig up while weeding because there may be dormant seeds deep in the ground that could start to grow if disturbed. If you are unable to dig up a weed without digging deep, try cutting it at its roots with pruning shears or a knife. If for some reason, it is impossible to remove the weed, the best thing you can do is to chop off their heads to keep them from setting seeds for up to a couple of weeks. You can also look up specific types of weeds here to see the best method for removing them.
Tackle your garden section by section
When you begin weeding, start by picking a small patch of your garden and clear it of weeds entirely before moving on to the next section. Not only does this method ensure you’ve removed every possible weed, it also helps you to see your progress and keep yourself motivated. Ideally, you should rid your garden of weeds before they have a chance to flower and disperse seeds. It only takes one overlooked weed to spread its seeds and ruin all your efforts. Weeding after a good rain also makes the task a bit easier as the saturated soil is loosened and easier to dig into. Good thing rain isn’t hard to come by here in Eugene!
Hire a professional
At Glenn Landscape, we can help with weed control in lawns and planting areas and offer weekly and monthly maintenance plans. No matter what your garden, lawn or landscape needs, we are flexible and happy to help! Call or stop by Glenn Landscape for all your landscaping needs and inquiries.