Choosing the correct landscape fabric for weed control can be a very time consuming and frustrating exercise, as anyone who has gone through the process will gladly confirm. The manufacturers of landscaping fabrics produce and publish specifications; however the major problem is that their largest market is construction. Hence, they produce their specifications with the construction market in mind. If you have an unlimited amount of time and a lot of patients you can read through all of the manufacturers’ specifications and try to garner some useful comparison information that will be useful in weed control and prevention.
When choosing a fabric for landscaping, there are three primary areas to consider:
The strength of the fabric is relative to the amount of air and water flow that will permeate through the fabric. Stronger materials allow less water and air to flow through the fabric. When choosing a fabric for your landscaping project you should identify one that has adequate strength for the application, any additional strength is counter productive and will cost you more.
You want to choose a fabric that has a consistent and even dispersal of fibers. The mesh size should be as small as possible in order to prevent weedy grasses from penetrating the fabric’s openings. Weeds and grasses do not grow through the fabric they are attracted by any minute quantities of light that may penetrate the openings between the weave in the fabric or in separations that have occurred between pieces of fabric. Weeds can germinate in the smallest amount of soil and hence will grow on top of the fabric, if there are the tiniest amounts of earth, sending fine root hairs through the fabrics weave on a quest for nutrients and moisture from the soil. To prevent weed and grass growth appearing through the fiber’s weave consider the use of a spunbonded fabric because of its microscopic mesh size.
There is a fine balancing act with respect to the porosity of the landscaping fabric. You want the mesh to be fine enough to prevent weed and grass growth but you want the holes in the mesh to be large enough to provide sufficient water and air to enter the soil. The fabric’s ability to breath; to allow oxygen and moisture to pass through the fabric and aerate and water the soil so that the plants will be hardy and not starved of essential life sustaining material. It is this feature that separates the average landscaping fabrics from the superior ones. This is why the use of plastic sheeting as a weed deterrent does not work. It may prevent the growth of weeds and grasses but it also prevents air and water from entering the soil. A fabric that does not have good permeability will create the problems of water run off which will wash away any coverings such as bark or mulch that may be lying on the surface of the fabric.
For additional information on landscaping your home or other renovation projects, visit [http://www.renovation-headquarters.com]Renovation Headquarters.
A small handful of "in-the-know" business owners are
watching their Yellow Pages Advertising response EXPLODE - to the tune of
300%... 500%... and more in a single year. They're putting their competition to
shame winning one new customer after another.
What do they know, that YOU don't?
The Great Weed War - Achieve Victory For Good - Naturally
Organic weed control is actually much, much simpler than most people think. Many people mistakenly believe that the only way to keep weeds out of a lawn is to use chemical weed killers and pre-emergents. It's simply not true.
You see, what many people don't understand is that true weed control is actually a very simple lesson in physics. Now, before you are completely traumatized by vivid flashbacks of your high school physics class, you only need to remember one simple principle from physics (and if you don't remember it, I'm going to tell it to you anyway, so don't worry too much).
Physics tells us that two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time. For instance, if your dad is sitting in his favorite Lazy Boy chair watching Monday Night Football, there is NO WAY you are going to occupy that same space in that same chair at the same time as your dad. Ain't gonna happen.
The same is true of grass and weeds. If you have weeds in your lawn, that is a clear indication that you have bare spots in your lawn where there is no grass growing. You may not be able to easily see them by just looking at your lawn, but they are there. Physics tells you it's true. There's just no way to get around it. If it were not true, you would have no weeds.
So, you've got four options. Either you let the weeds take over your lawn, you pull them all manually, you put down some sort of weed killer or pre-emergent (EVERY SEASON) to keep the weeds down OR you take the smart road and deal with your weed problem once and for all.
Well, for most of us, allowing the weeds to take over is NOT an option. We like our nice green, picture perfect lawns. Victory for the weeds? Not even a consideration. But, pulling or raking weeds out of your lawn manually can be very tiring and time consuming. Chemical or organic weed killer or pre-emergent applications can be very costly over time. Chemical applications are even worse because while fixing one problem they normally cause many more, not to mention being an environmental and health hazard.
So, maybe high school physics is going to come in handy after all. In fact, do me a favor. Once you utilize the methods I outline in this book to create a beautiful, healthy, non-toxic and generally weed free lawn, go back to your high school physics teacher and thank them for helping you get rid of your weeds. :)
The following tips should help reduce the time and money you spend trying to get rid of your weeds and help you cut out the chemicals. Remember that an hour spent today is most likely 3 hours and a bundle of money saved next year.
Take time to overseed your lawn in the FALL
Weeds can't grow where grass is growing
Fall seeding avoids grass vs. weed competition of spring.
Next spring new grass will crowd out the weeds
Fertilize in the fall
Provides for a spring "boost" so grass beats the weeds
Mow the grass high (2 to 3 inches)
Less sunlight reaches weed seeds so fewer will germinate
Grass forms thicker root system - less room for weeds
Bag grass clippings when weeds are going to seed.
Less weed seeds to germinate next year or later this year.
Keep thatch levels in check (no more than 3/8")
Weeds thrive in heavy thatch - grass does not
A healthy, full, dense lawn leaves no room for weeds. So, if you'll do what's necessary now to secure that thick, dense lawn, you won't have to worry about weeds later, saving you hundreds to thousands of dollars over the coming years.
This article is just a small portion of a 70 page FREE ebook devoted exclusively to organic lawncare. [http://Dollar95Ebooks.com/lawncare]Low Cost Secrets to Growing a Healthy, Non-Toxic, Minimal Maintenance Lawn is written by Mike Kaufman, a 15 year veteran of the lawncare and [http://GuardingOurEarth.com]liquid organic fertilizer industries.
Please drop by his website to learn more about the ebook and/or to request the [http://Dollar95Ebooks.com/lawncare]FREE download.
You see, what many people don't understand is that true weed control is actually a very simple lesson in physics. Now, before you are completely traumatized by vivid flashbacks of your high school physics class, you only need to remember one simple principle from physics (and if you don't remember it, I'm going to tell it to you anyway, so don't worry too much).
Physics tells us that two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time. For instance, if your dad is sitting in his favorite Lazy Boy chair watching Monday Night Football, there is NO WAY you are going to occupy that same space in that same chair at the same time as your dad. Ain't gonna happen.
The same is true of grass and weeds. If you have weeds in your lawn, that is a clear indication that you have bare spots in your lawn where there is no grass growing. You may not be able to easily see them by just looking at your lawn, but they are there. Physics tells you it's true. There's just no way to get around it. If it were not true, you would have no weeds.
So, you've got four options. Either you let the weeds take over your lawn, you pull them all manually, you put down some sort of weed killer or pre-emergent (EVERY SEASON) to keep the weeds down OR you take the smart road and deal with your weed problem once and for all.
Well, for most of us, allowing the weeds to take over is NOT an option. We like our nice green, picture perfect lawns. Victory for the weeds? Not even a consideration. But, pulling or raking weeds out of your lawn manually can be very tiring and time consuming. Chemical or organic weed killer or pre-emergent applications can be very costly over time. Chemical applications are even worse because while fixing one problem they normally cause many more, not to mention being an environmental and health hazard.
So, maybe high school physics is going to come in handy after all. In fact, do me a favor. Once you utilize the methods I outline in this book to create a beautiful, healthy, non-toxic and generally weed free lawn, go back to your high school physics teacher and thank them for helping you get rid of your weeds. :)
The following tips should help reduce the time and money you spend trying to get rid of your weeds and help you cut out the chemicals. Remember that an hour spent today is most likely 3 hours and a bundle of money saved next year.
Take time to overseed your lawn in the FALL
Weeds can't grow where grass is growing
Fall seeding avoids grass vs. weed competition of spring.
Next spring new grass will crowd out the weeds
Fertilize in the fall
Provides for a spring "boost" so grass beats the weeds
Mow the grass high (2 to 3 inches)
Less sunlight reaches weed seeds so fewer will germinate
Grass forms thicker root system - less room for weeds
Bag grass clippings when weeds are going to seed.
Less weed seeds to germinate next year or later this year.
Keep thatch levels in check (no more than 3/8")
Weeds thrive in heavy thatch - grass does not
A healthy, full, dense lawn leaves no room for weeds. So, if you'll do what's necessary now to secure that thick, dense lawn, you won't have to worry about weeds later, saving you hundreds to thousands of dollars over the coming years.
This article is just a small portion of a 70 page FREE ebook devoted exclusively to organic lawncare. [http://Dollar95Ebooks.com/lawncare]Low Cost Secrets to Growing a Healthy, Non-Toxic, Minimal Maintenance Lawn is written by Mike Kaufman, a 15 year veteran of the lawncare and [http://GuardingOurEarth.com]liquid organic fertilizer industries.
Please drop by his website to learn more about the ebook and/or to request the [http://Dollar95Ebooks.com/lawncare]FREE download.
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Garden Design Ideas For Awkward Shaped Gardens
The temptation with an awkwardly shaped garden is either to do as little as possible to it -- maybe a lawn surrounded with flowerbeds -- or to add too many hidden corners and details, which might work well in an enormous plot, but won't make the best of an average-sized garden. The ideal is to come up with a layout that's simple but uses design tricks to correct the shape of the garden. Better still, a clever layout can make the awkward shape an advantage, using odd corners for hidden storage or raised levels to define areas of the garden.
We asked Katrina Wells of Earth Designs to come up with three solutions for three classic problems: a sloping site, an L-shaped garden and a tapering plot. Our advice is to simplify the look of the garden, where possible, by using similar shades to unify the different elements such as decking, paving and walls. As for budget, we've suggested where you can make savings. Now all you have to do is pick the plan that's best for you.
Designs For A Sloping Garden
Make the most of a sloping garden by creating different levels, each with its own purpose. This design has an area right next to the house for outdoor dining and a barbecue. Then, wide steps lead down (or up, depending on which way your garden slopes) to an area with built-in seats (with lift-up lids for extra storage) and a water feature, or sandpit if you have children. The last level includes a play area and lawn, plus a shed and compost heap. Hardy plants that don't need lots of water, such as osteospermum, are great for a low-maintenance garden. Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting up to once a week in high summer, but if you choose raised borders planted with hardy perennials, such as hosta and astilbe, they won't need much care or constant maintenance. Add splashes of colour with drought-resistant osteospermum and gazania. How can I cut costs? Shifting earth and shoring up the terraces can be quite costly. In a gently sloping garden, save money by just decking over the top of the old surface, and swap raised planters for pots (which you could always add later when you've saved up).
Designs For An L Shaped Garden
The trouble with L-shaped gardens is that the slimmest part of the ?L' is often wasted space. Try and use it to tuck away things you don't want to see from the patio, such as the bins and shed or a play area. Keep the rest of the garden simple and break up the straight lines with a curved patio, borders and lawn to make the most of the space and give it a relaxed feel.
Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting in summer, but if you use bark chippings the kids' play area will be maintenance-free. For borders, choose long-flowering, care-free perennials, such as yarrow, bleeding heart and black-eyed Susan. How can I cut costs? This garden shouldn't be expensive to create or maintain, as long as you keep the borders quite narrow. You can make them seem deeper, though, by planting evergreen climbers, such as Clematis armandii.
Design For A Tapering Garden
The best design for a tapering garden uses strong diagonals to trick the eye. The main border comes into the middle of the garden, while the lawn widens as the garden narrows, balancing the tapered shape. The shed hides behind a water feature at the far end, making the narrowest part of the garden a useful spot.
Will it take much looking after? In the summer the lawn will need cutting once a week and the plants in the borders will need regular watering. Put down a weed-suppressing membrane (from garden centres) to cut down on the amount of weeding, then plant the border with ground cover plants, such as geraniums or catmint. Geraniums, in particular, provide good ground cover and colour through the summer. Use tall pots planted with grasses for an eye-catching display. How can I cut costs? Replace the pots with tall plants set into the ground -- bamboo would be a good choice because it's evergreen and makes a good screening plant. Making the lawn area larger and the border narrower will also save money.
You can find more information on [http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/advice/gardening/Pick_the_Perfect_Water_Feature_126148.html?subslug=]garden design ideas and [http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/advice/gardening/Five_plants_you_can_t_kill_126308.html?subslug=]garden advice at [http://www.housetohome.co.uk]house to home, helping you create a look you'll love
We asked Katrina Wells of Earth Designs to come up with three solutions for three classic problems: a sloping site, an L-shaped garden and a tapering plot. Our advice is to simplify the look of the garden, where possible, by using similar shades to unify the different elements such as decking, paving and walls. As for budget, we've suggested where you can make savings. Now all you have to do is pick the plan that's best for you.
Designs For A Sloping Garden
Make the most of a sloping garden by creating different levels, each with its own purpose. This design has an area right next to the house for outdoor dining and a barbecue. Then, wide steps lead down (or up, depending on which way your garden slopes) to an area with built-in seats (with lift-up lids for extra storage) and a water feature, or sandpit if you have children. The last level includes a play area and lawn, plus a shed and compost heap. Hardy plants that don't need lots of water, such as osteospermum, are great for a low-maintenance garden. Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting up to once a week in high summer, but if you choose raised borders planted with hardy perennials, such as hosta and astilbe, they won't need much care or constant maintenance. Add splashes of colour with drought-resistant osteospermum and gazania. How can I cut costs? Shifting earth and shoring up the terraces can be quite costly. In a gently sloping garden, save money by just decking over the top of the old surface, and swap raised planters for pots (which you could always add later when you've saved up).
Designs For An L Shaped Garden
The trouble with L-shaped gardens is that the slimmest part of the ?L' is often wasted space. Try and use it to tuck away things you don't want to see from the patio, such as the bins and shed or a play area. Keep the rest of the garden simple and break up the straight lines with a curved patio, borders and lawn to make the most of the space and give it a relaxed feel.
Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting in summer, but if you use bark chippings the kids' play area will be maintenance-free. For borders, choose long-flowering, care-free perennials, such as yarrow, bleeding heart and black-eyed Susan. How can I cut costs? This garden shouldn't be expensive to create or maintain, as long as you keep the borders quite narrow. You can make them seem deeper, though, by planting evergreen climbers, such as Clematis armandii.
Design For A Tapering Garden
The best design for a tapering garden uses strong diagonals to trick the eye. The main border comes into the middle of the garden, while the lawn widens as the garden narrows, balancing the tapered shape. The shed hides behind a water feature at the far end, making the narrowest part of the garden a useful spot.
Will it take much looking after? In the summer the lawn will need cutting once a week and the plants in the borders will need regular watering. Put down a weed-suppressing membrane (from garden centres) to cut down on the amount of weeding, then plant the border with ground cover plants, such as geraniums or catmint. Geraniums, in particular, provide good ground cover and colour through the summer. Use tall pots planted with grasses for an eye-catching display. How can I cut costs? Replace the pots with tall plants set into the ground -- bamboo would be a good choice because it's evergreen and makes a good screening plant. Making the lawn area larger and the border narrower will also save money.
You can find more information on [http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/advice/gardening/Pick_the_Perfect_Water_Feature_126148.html?subslug=]garden design ideas and [http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/advice/gardening/Five_plants_you_can_t_kill_126308.html?subslug=]garden advice at [http://www.housetohome.co.uk]house to home, helping you create a look you'll love
Homemade Weed Killer
Many people struggle to kill the weeds in their lawns and gardens for the reason that they do not want to use a commercially made chemical herbicide. The safety of using these commercially available weed killers is not entirely known. While the manufacturers and even government agencies say they are safe the long term affects of the continued use of these toxic chemicals and their affects on people and other living creatures is not entirely known.
For those of us who do not want our children and pets exposed to these toxic chemicals trying to find a way to kill the weeds overgrowing our yards and gardens can be tough. What many people do not realize is that there are many non-toxic ways to kill weeds right around their home.
While there are many different recipes out there for a homemade weed killer most of them are based off of the following:
• 1 gallon of white vinegar.
• 1 cup of table salt.
• 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
Mix everything together making sure the salt is completely dissolved. You can then pour this into a spray bottle or one of those weed sprayers you can get at any garden center. You spray this solution directly on the weeds you want to get rid of preferably on a hot day. One thing to remember with this solution is to not get it on anything you don’t want to kill and don’t spray it on the soil. It is non-selective in what it kills meaning it will kill any plant life it comes in contact with and it will sterilize the soil for up to two years depending on how much you get on the soil.
If you are concerned about getting the vinegar solution on your desirable plants you can use a cloth to wipe the solution on the leafy parts of the weeds. This will keep any of the solution from coming in contact with the plants you want to keep. If you use this method it is advisable to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the acidic affects of the vinegar.
If you don’t want to use this formula for a homemade weed killer then you can always rely on the tried and true method of hand-pulling any weeds you find in your landscape. Eventually the weeds lose the ability to create enough food for their roots to continue to grow and their roots will die off. This actually works best if you don’t have a lot of weeds in your yard or garden.
The nice thing about using a bio-degradable homemade weed killer is that you are not harming the micro-organisms that live in the soil. These micro-organisms create the fertile environment that helps your lawn, flowers and vegetables grow to their maximum potential. You are also protecting your family and pets from the harmful affects of the commercially available weed killers on the market today.
For additional information about [http://www.garden-choices-net.com/homemade-weed-killer.html]Homemade Weed Killer and Pesticides Please Click Here.
For those of us who do not want our children and pets exposed to these toxic chemicals trying to find a way to kill the weeds overgrowing our yards and gardens can be tough. What many people do not realize is that there are many non-toxic ways to kill weeds right around their home.
While there are many different recipes out there for a homemade weed killer most of them are based off of the following:
• 1 gallon of white vinegar.
• 1 cup of table salt.
• 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
Mix everything together making sure the salt is completely dissolved. You can then pour this into a spray bottle or one of those weed sprayers you can get at any garden center. You spray this solution directly on the weeds you want to get rid of preferably on a hot day. One thing to remember with this solution is to not get it on anything you don’t want to kill and don’t spray it on the soil. It is non-selective in what it kills meaning it will kill any plant life it comes in contact with and it will sterilize the soil for up to two years depending on how much you get on the soil.
If you are concerned about getting the vinegar solution on your desirable plants you can use a cloth to wipe the solution on the leafy parts of the weeds. This will keep any of the solution from coming in contact with the plants you want to keep. If you use this method it is advisable to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the acidic affects of the vinegar.
If you don’t want to use this formula for a homemade weed killer then you can always rely on the tried and true method of hand-pulling any weeds you find in your landscape. Eventually the weeds lose the ability to create enough food for their roots to continue to grow and their roots will die off. This actually works best if you don’t have a lot of weeds in your yard or garden.
The nice thing about using a bio-degradable homemade weed killer is that you are not harming the micro-organisms that live in the soil. These micro-organisms create the fertile environment that helps your lawn, flowers and vegetables grow to their maximum potential. You are also protecting your family and pets from the harmful affects of the commercially available weed killers on the market today.
For additional information about [http://www.garden-choices-net.com/homemade-weed-killer.html]Homemade Weed Killer and Pesticides Please Click Here.
Gardens And Yards - Helping To Sell Homes
Let's fact the facts, if a home's exterior and yard are unattractive and untended there is less of a initiative to enter the home. It may be jumping to a conclusion, but if the yard and home is not cared for, the interior might be the victim of the same care deficiency. There is nothing more powerful then a beautiful yard and garden to draw prospective buyers into your home. Consider this: you are looking at two different homes, the first has immaculately cared for lawns, gardens full of flowers and manicured trees, the second has uncut grass and a weed infested garden. Which would you choose to look at?
The choice is obvious, so go outside and have a look at your home. Which home is it? Either way there are likely a few things that you could do to improve your home's chances of grabbing buyer's attention. Start by taking care of the lawn, it may seem like a small thing, but a well kept lawn sets the tone for a yard. Make sure that all the edges are trimmed neatly, especially where they intersect with the walkways or driveway. This will serve the home well as viewers have a neat path to the home. Remember, when selling a home, every little bit helps.
Gardens are a great tool to use in the improvement of a homes overall look. Keeping your gardens weed-free is a good way to start. This can be helped by the use of a mulch. Mulch keeps weeds from developing and maintains it's dark color, this keeps the garden looking fresh. Take some time and consider which flowers you are going to plant in the garden, color can play an important part in creating a theme for the yard. Another thing that help create a clean look for the yard is pruning the trees and bushes. Essentially what this process does is show the buyer that the home both inside and out is well cared for.
Lou Lynch is an associate broker with Nutshell Realty, the premier source for [http://www.nutshellrealty.com/ ]Ulster County real estate For excellent service and information regarding homes and properties in Ulster County, [http://www.nutshellrealty.com/contact.php ]contact Nutshell Realty soon or visit us online at http://www.nutshellrealty.com
The choice is obvious, so go outside and have a look at your home. Which home is it? Either way there are likely a few things that you could do to improve your home's chances of grabbing buyer's attention. Start by taking care of the lawn, it may seem like a small thing, but a well kept lawn sets the tone for a yard. Make sure that all the edges are trimmed neatly, especially where they intersect with the walkways or driveway. This will serve the home well as viewers have a neat path to the home. Remember, when selling a home, every little bit helps.
Gardens are a great tool to use in the improvement of a homes overall look. Keeping your gardens weed-free is a good way to start. This can be helped by the use of a mulch. Mulch keeps weeds from developing and maintains it's dark color, this keeps the garden looking fresh. Take some time and consider which flowers you are going to plant in the garden, color can play an important part in creating a theme for the yard. Another thing that help create a clean look for the yard is pruning the trees and bushes. Essentially what this process does is show the buyer that the home both inside and out is well cared for.
Lou Lynch is an associate broker with Nutshell Realty, the premier source for [http://www.nutshellrealty.com/ ]Ulster County real estate For excellent service and information regarding homes and properties in Ulster County, [http://www.nutshellrealty.com/contact.php ]contact Nutshell Realty soon or visit us online at http://www.nutshellrealty.com
Control Weeds Effectively In Your Garden
No matter what you plant, all gardeners have one thing in common - trying to control the weeds in your garden! Instead of pulling your hair out, take a few minutes and design a plan to get rid of and control the weeds.
Technically, a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. This could include what we normally think of as weeds, or it could include self sowing perennials or annuals. Weeds can either grow from seeds or runners. Runners are roots or stems that originate from the parent plant and sprout new growth further along the runner. The biggest problem with runners is that even when you remove the parent plant, the runners will continue to sprout (and create their own runners!). Like any plant, weeds need the basic nutrients to grow: sunlight, water and nutrients. To control your weeds, you can remove any of these three things.
When starting a garden bed from scratch, controlling weeds will be easier in the future if you get rid of them now, before planting. First, remove all unwanted plants from your area. Then, dig up the soil and underlying roots. At this time, work the soil using a rototiller. Leave the garden bed alone for several days, you will notice new seedlings sprouting. Turn the soil again, exposing their roots to the sun. You may repeat this process if desired, to make sure as many weed seeds as possible are removed. Or, you could spray a non selective herbicide over the area, which will kill all vegetation.
In established beds, removing existing weeds takes more effort. You want to remove the weeds, but not harm the plants you want. You can either remove the weeds by hand, making sure you get all of the roots, or use a chemical herbicide. When removing weeds by hand, first water the soil if it is dry. Then wait about twenty minutes before pulling the weeds. The damp soil will allow the root system to come out of the ground more easily, with less chance of leaving some behind.
When using an herbicide, make sure that you are using one the is correct for your situation. There are pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. The pre-emergent keep weed seeds from germinating. The post-emergent kill growing weeds. For best results, contact a garden center to see which product is right for you. If using a non-selective herbicide, the easiest way to apply it is directly onto the plant with a foam paintbrush. That way you won't accidentally spray plants you want to keep.
For new beds and established beds, a great way to control weeds is with mulch. Mulch will act as a barrier to light and suppress weed growth. Another benefit of organic mulch is that it can add nutrients to the soil for your desired plants. A good tip when mulching is to lay strips of newspaper down over exposed soil before mulching. While adding some nutrients, it will also help suppress weed growth even more than mulch alone. Stay away from plastic weed barriers. Not only will they trap heat under them, which can essentially 'bake' any beneficial microorganisms, but any organic mulch placed on top will decompose to top soil and weeds will sprout in it.
Once you have a good weed control program in place, only little maintenance will be required. There will be much less weeding and more time for you to enjoy your gardens!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://gardening.tips-and-gear.com/]Gardening
Technically, a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. This could include what we normally think of as weeds, or it could include self sowing perennials or annuals. Weeds can either grow from seeds or runners. Runners are roots or stems that originate from the parent plant and sprout new growth further along the runner. The biggest problem with runners is that even when you remove the parent plant, the runners will continue to sprout (and create their own runners!). Like any plant, weeds need the basic nutrients to grow: sunlight, water and nutrients. To control your weeds, you can remove any of these three things.
When starting a garden bed from scratch, controlling weeds will be easier in the future if you get rid of them now, before planting. First, remove all unwanted plants from your area. Then, dig up the soil and underlying roots. At this time, work the soil using a rototiller. Leave the garden bed alone for several days, you will notice new seedlings sprouting. Turn the soil again, exposing their roots to the sun. You may repeat this process if desired, to make sure as many weed seeds as possible are removed. Or, you could spray a non selective herbicide over the area, which will kill all vegetation.
In established beds, removing existing weeds takes more effort. You want to remove the weeds, but not harm the plants you want. You can either remove the weeds by hand, making sure you get all of the roots, or use a chemical herbicide. When removing weeds by hand, first water the soil if it is dry. Then wait about twenty minutes before pulling the weeds. The damp soil will allow the root system to come out of the ground more easily, with less chance of leaving some behind.
When using an herbicide, make sure that you are using one the is correct for your situation. There are pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. The pre-emergent keep weed seeds from germinating. The post-emergent kill growing weeds. For best results, contact a garden center to see which product is right for you. If using a non-selective herbicide, the easiest way to apply it is directly onto the plant with a foam paintbrush. That way you won't accidentally spray plants you want to keep.
For new beds and established beds, a great way to control weeds is with mulch. Mulch will act as a barrier to light and suppress weed growth. Another benefit of organic mulch is that it can add nutrients to the soil for your desired plants. A good tip when mulching is to lay strips of newspaper down over exposed soil before mulching. While adding some nutrients, it will also help suppress weed growth even more than mulch alone. Stay away from plastic weed barriers. Not only will they trap heat under them, which can essentially 'bake' any beneficial microorganisms, but any organic mulch placed on top will decompose to top soil and weeds will sprout in it.
Once you have a good weed control program in place, only little maintenance will be required. There will be much less weeding and more time for you to enjoy your gardens!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://gardening.tips-and-gear.com/]Gardening
Choosing the Best Weed Eater
One of the great time saving devices for trimming a lawn is a weed eater. A weed eater can mow down a large patch of weeds and grass in no time, leaving you with more time to do more productive things. Weed eaters all basically have the same design but they do come in different sizes and power ranges. You will also see a variety of power sources for different weed eaters, from the old traditional electric weed eater that uses an extension cord to the more powerful gas powered models and now days you can also buy battery powered models that set you free from extension cord hell.
So what do you look for when it comes to buying a new weed eater? Well it depends on what how big your yard is, how many weeds and edge trimming you need to do and how much you want to spend. You don’t want one that’s too small and can’t handle the job but if you have a small yard you probably don’t need a gas powered behemoth either. You do want to make sure the weed eater you choose has the power to do the job you want. Weeds can be notoriously stubborn and you want a weed whacker that easily powers through the thickest of weed stems. When choosing a weed eater you want to get the most power for the amount of money you have to spend.
When it comes choosing a new weed eater price is of course going to be the deciding factor as to which brand and model you ultimately purchase. If you have plenty of money then the choices you have are unlimited. Of course if price is no factor for someone they probably have someone else taking care of the lawn. Be realistic about what you can afford and get the most weed whacking power for you buck.
The final consideration before you plop down your hard earned cash is the size of your new weed eater. Most home improvement stores have demo models on display. Try them all on for size. You don’t want one that’s too heavy or awkward to use. Try to find a model that’s adjustable as that will give you the best fit and comfort level. If you’re going to be spending the better part of the day whacking weeds you want to be as comfortable as possible.
Weigh all three factors equally and when you make your purchase you will have a weed eater that is the perfect size with the right amount of power for the right price.
Want to know more about [http://www.garden-choices-net.com/Weed-Whacker.html]weed eaters and weed control? Visit the website [http://www.garden-choices-net.com]Garden-Choices-net.com
So what do you look for when it comes to buying a new weed eater? Well it depends on what how big your yard is, how many weeds and edge trimming you need to do and how much you want to spend. You don’t want one that’s too small and can’t handle the job but if you have a small yard you probably don’t need a gas powered behemoth either. You do want to make sure the weed eater you choose has the power to do the job you want. Weeds can be notoriously stubborn and you want a weed whacker that easily powers through the thickest of weed stems. When choosing a weed eater you want to get the most power for the amount of money you have to spend.
When it comes choosing a new weed eater price is of course going to be the deciding factor as to which brand and model you ultimately purchase. If you have plenty of money then the choices you have are unlimited. Of course if price is no factor for someone they probably have someone else taking care of the lawn. Be realistic about what you can afford and get the most weed whacking power for you buck.
The final consideration before you plop down your hard earned cash is the size of your new weed eater. Most home improvement stores have demo models on display. Try them all on for size. You don’t want one that’s too heavy or awkward to use. Try to find a model that’s adjustable as that will give you the best fit and comfort level. If you’re going to be spending the better part of the day whacking weeds you want to be as comfortable as possible.
Weigh all three factors equally and when you make your purchase you will have a weed eater that is the perfect size with the right amount of power for the right price.
Want to know more about [http://www.garden-choices-net.com/Weed-Whacker.html]weed eaters and weed control? Visit the website [http://www.garden-choices-net.com]Garden-Choices-net.com
Controlling Weeds in Your Garden
A major complaint with gardeners is that, often, their gardens are so wonderful that they attract unwanted guests - that is, weeds. Nobody wants weeds in their garden. And these things are very tough to kill! They are designed that way, by nature.
The typical solution is to buy a chemical weed killer. These things can be extremely effective, killing down to the root within days. The problem is if you have an organic garden, you want to avoid this. If you are worried that the chemical weed killer will end up destroying your precious flowers, read the label on what types of plants the chemical does not affect. Or, apply very carefully.
Another organic solution is to buy critters that like to eat the weeds. If you know the name and kind of weed that is growing in your garden, you can get the bugs that eat them. This is a difficult solution, because it requires you to know the weed, know that the bug is harmful only to the weed and not to the rest of your garden.
A better organic solution is to buy weed control covers. These covers go around your plants and flowers and prevent areas where weeds typically crop up from getting enough light or not have enough space to grow. This is a great solution, and be sure to use a cover that is environmentally friendly. I have had a lot of friends recommend this solution to me and for the past 3 years it has worked wonders.
Finally, the best organic solution is to grow stronger flowers. What does this mean? Typically weeds overpower the weak flowers which don't have enough nutrients, stable roots, light, or other properties rendering them fairly week in the garden. This is unfortunate and the weeds will shove them out. But, if the flowers are grown healthy and strong, then the weeds typically can't compete with them, no matter how hard they tried. This is an excellent way to control weeds and have a beautiful garden at the same time. It's not the easiest solution, but probably the best long-term one.
I hope these tips have been useful!
See more of my home gardening tips @ http://www.home-gardening-tips.com
The typical solution is to buy a chemical weed killer. These things can be extremely effective, killing down to the root within days. The problem is if you have an organic garden, you want to avoid this. If you are worried that the chemical weed killer will end up destroying your precious flowers, read the label on what types of plants the chemical does not affect. Or, apply very carefully.
Another organic solution is to buy critters that like to eat the weeds. If you know the name and kind of weed that is growing in your garden, you can get the bugs that eat them. This is a difficult solution, because it requires you to know the weed, know that the bug is harmful only to the weed and not to the rest of your garden.
A better organic solution is to buy weed control covers. These covers go around your plants and flowers and prevent areas where weeds typically crop up from getting enough light or not have enough space to grow. This is a great solution, and be sure to use a cover that is environmentally friendly. I have had a lot of friends recommend this solution to me and for the past 3 years it has worked wonders.
Finally, the best organic solution is to grow stronger flowers. What does this mean? Typically weeds overpower the weak flowers which don't have enough nutrients, stable roots, light, or other properties rendering them fairly week in the garden. This is unfortunate and the weeds will shove them out. But, if the flowers are grown healthy and strong, then the weeds typically can't compete with them, no matter how hard they tried. This is an excellent way to control weeds and have a beautiful garden at the same time. It's not the easiest solution, but probably the best long-term one.
I hope these tips have been useful!
See more of my home gardening tips @ http://www.home-gardening-tips.com
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