Spring and summer are a time of lush lawns, plentiful flowers and of course the dreaded weeds. Whether you plan well or not weeds are going to creep up in your garden and continue to flourish as the summer progresses so the best prevention is to weed early and often.
Not only can weeds be unsightly but even those that contribute to the aesthetic quality of your garden can become invasive. Weeds compete with other plants in your yard for resources and can reduce soil fertility. In addition, not addressing weed issues early can lead to weeds causing damage to fences, retaining walls, and steps.
Mulching and adding weed barrier fabric can help but weeds will still make their way into your garden. Catching them early enough will allow them to uproot easily and without tools but if they are substantially rooted you may need a trowel, hoe, and gardening gloves to pull them out from the roots.
If they are thorny and plentiful, as blackberry bushes tend to be in some areas, cutting down the larger branches first and then getting closer to the roots in a second go can be a good strategy.
For weeds that creep up in the driveway and between pavers, you can try mixing vinegar or baking soda with water to get rid of them. As a last resort there is always weed killer but herbicides are discouraged as they not good for animals or the environment.
Overall a little bit of weeding every week can goes a long way to minimizing the upkeep while ensuring your landscape stays healthy and beautiful.
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