Options for Managing Yard & Garden Weeds   

Weeds are highly likely to appear in yards and gardens at some point during the season. Having a plan considering all management options to stay ahead of them is key to successfully keeping landscapes and gardens weed-free and not harming the environment.

As weeds appear, promptly mechanically removing them is a remarkably effective management tool. Mechanical removal can be hand-pulling or digging them out, hoeing, or various methods of cultivating the soil. Due to portions of perennial weeds breaking off and remaining behind, or the fact that substantial amounts of dormant seeds of many weed species exist in soil, weeds often reappear in a brief period. For best results, remove weeds mechanically early and often, especially early in the season. Shallow, rather than deep, cultivation helps avoid bringing some seeds up to the surface.

Mulching plays a key role in preventing ongoing weed invasions in gardens and landscape beds. In addition to cultivating soils prior to putting mulches down, it is imperative that perennial weed species are removed. Examples include quackgrass, ground ivy, thistles, and bindweed, among others. Simply putting mulch over existing weeds will fail to control them. Numerous organic mulches are available for landscape beds and ornamental gardens, with some type of shredded bark material most often used. Consider the fact mulches decompose over time and weeds can germinate in them, so monitor and promptly remove any weeds and replenish mulches as needed.

Herbicides, also known as weed killers, are a third weed management tool for yards and gardens. In addition to killing weeds, they can damage or kill desirable plants, so must be used correctly and with extreme caution. Product labels of herbicides, which are a type of pesticide, are federal documents created at the time the material was registered. Always carefully read, understand, and follow all label directions before purchasing, mixing, applying, and storing all pesticides, including herbicides, this season.

When considering herbicides, refer to product labels to confirm both what types of plantings the material can be used on, and the kinds of weeds that are controlled. Do not rely on herbicides alone and recognize there are numerous situations where herbicides are not available to selectively take out weeds without harming desirable plants. Carefully read all application information, including rate and proper timing. Preemergence herbicides are most widely available as granular products applied to the soil, killing weed seeds as they germinate, but not controlling existing weeds. Postemergence herbicides control weeds already present and are usually applied directly to existing weed plants, although some may be applied to soil.

Consider all weed management options as weeds appear this season.