Every spring season in the Carolinas, thousands of homeowners look forward to getting outside, landscaping their yards, and working in their flower beds. It is, therefore, always unfortunate when weed growth begins to ruin a well-planned lawn. Fortunately, you can take steps to naturally remove garden weeds without using pesticides or other chemicals that could be harmful not only to the environment but also to your children or pets.
Before we delve into what you can do to get rid of weeds naturally, though, it’s important for you to understand precisely what weeds are. The remainder of this article will answer common questions Carolina garden enthusiasts have and help you enjoy your best gardening season yet!
What exactly are weeds?
A loose definition of a weed is “any plant a person doesn’t want growing in his or her yard.” Not all weeds are invasive, and some can even be aesthetically pleasing. In some cases, “weeds” aren’t even traditional weeds like dandelions. Both bamboo and mint plants can quickly get out of control and essentially turn into weeds if they are not carefully tended or planted in containers.
It is important to bear in mind that just because you don’t want certain weed species in your yard, they may not actually be “bad” plants. Clover, for instance, doesn’t fit into most landscaping schemes but is crucial to the survival of the bee population.
What are some natural ways to prevent weed growth?
There are several natural techniques you can use to prevent weeds from growing on your North Carolina or South Carolina property. The first is to build rich soil. You might not think you have any control over the type of soil you have available to you, but this is actually not the case! Find high-quality organic planting soil at a local garden supply store.
Then, to prevent the majority of weeds from reaching your garden plants, construct raised beds about 12-inches off the ground. Line the bottoms with two layers of corrugated cardboard before pouring your soil and planting your garden. The cardboard will stop the vast majority of weeds from reaching your flowers and vegetable plants.
Another way to naturally prevent weed growth is to keep up with them simply! Weeding at least once per week is an essential part of stopping undesirable plants from growing. Regularly maintaining your garden will nip problem plants in the bud (literally and figuratively!), so make sure you have a weeding schedule you stick to all spring, summer, and fall.
When you weed your garden, it is imperative to pull out every weed from the root. This will ensure that particular weed does not return. If you are ever confused about what the root of a specific plant looks like, search for pictures online to make sure you got the entire plant.
Another way to naturally prevent weeds is to make sure your garden beds are landscaped in such a way that there simply isn’t room for them to flourish. If you have questions about how to plant your garden in this fashion, it may be worth paying for a consultation with a landscape designer in your area of the Carolinas. He or she will be able to help you select the right types of plants, space them correctly, and ultimately create a beautiful space.
Hopefully, these tips will help your garden thrive this year and for many more years to come!