How to get rid of weeds is a topic of debate among many gardeners. There are inevitably differences of opinion regarding the definition of a weed and the evolution of techniques for weed control in lawns and gardens.
To be honest, I personally hate weeds and do everything I can to eradicate them. For some reason, I get a lot of satisfaction out of weeding my garden, either by hand or by using tools to thoroughly remove them. Others may have a more tolerant attitude toward weeds and may actually believe that they have various benefits. What I consider a weed might be a tea plantation or a landscaping option for someone else. Ultimately, most gardeners are forced to conclude that it is impossible to get rid of all weeds.
So how should gardeners go about controlling weeds?
First, let's get a little more specific about weeds. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, a weed is a plant that grows in an area where it's not wanted. To weed scientists, a weed is a plant that competes with desirable plants for limited resources in your lawn or garden (like soil nutrients). That being said, the common dandelion is a weed to many and a valuable plant to others, which can confuse any clear distinction.
Anyone else reading this…
What common characteristics of weeds make it tricky for gardeners to control them? Weeds are very adaptable, which allows them to survive and thrive. They often evolve to adapt to the different ways we try to suppress them, and they can even develop resistance to some herbicides. For example, dandelions grow low so they can avoid being cut by a lawnmower. Weeds often have extensive root systems that compete with other desirable plants for moisture and nutrients.
Weeds spread through a variety of different means of transportation. Weed seeds can travel by wind, in the digestive tracts of birds, on animal fur and on human clothing. Dandelion seeds can even blow into a neighbor's yard. Weeds can be anywhere, lurking and dormant in the soil, waiting for the right conditions to germinate. Plus, weeds can host plant diseases that can wreak havoc on your garden.
Some weeds are classified as noxious or invasive. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture classifies invasive non-native weed species as “organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.” If the threat posed by a weed is substantial, it is further classified as noxious. Minnesota has established best practices for dealing with weeds in these categories.
Another important distinction to make in understanding weeds is their life cycle: perennial, biennial, or annual. Knowing the life cycle of a weed can help you know how to most effectively suppress or control it in your lawn or garden.
Next, let's consider weed prevention, which is the key to weed control management.
Preventing weeds from taking root is much easier than removing them once they've been established. Start by maintaining healthy soil through proper watering, fertilization, and aeration. A thick, healthy lawn and strong plants are your best defense against weeds in your lawn, because weeds compete more effectively for your plants' vital resources. Consider mulching your flower beds to suppress weed growth and conserve moisture. Organic mulches, such as wood chips or straw, not only prevent weeds from germinating, but also enrich the soil as they decompose.
Weeds also thrive due to other addressable factors, such as insect infestation, poor drainage, inadequate sunlight, excessive foot traffic on your lawn, etc. Addressing these issues can help prevent weed infestations while promoting the healthy growth of desirable plants.
What should you do if you have weeds growing?
To address weed challenges, University of Minnesota Extension recommends the following integrated weed management program:
1. Educate yourself about weeds. What is the life cycle of a weed? How do plants spread? What is the quality of your soil?
2. Make a decision about the weeds. How bad is the damage they are causing? Is the problem getting worse or stabilizing? Are your desired plants likely to recover? Are the weeds causing primarily an aesthetic problem? Is the problem worth addressing? Will you take action?
3. Manage weeds using a variety of management tactics. First, start with preventative or cultural management methods. This includes addressing the environmental conditions that cause weeds, such as improving soil compaction, introducing regular fertilization and watering, raising the height of the mower blade, and using mulch. Second, use physical methods to remove weeds. This includes pulling the weeds, using hand tools, and removing the weed seed heads. Third, use mechanical or physical barriers for weed control, such as using mulch or plastic sheeting to create a solar effect in the garden to kill the weeds or deprive them of water. Finally, following best practices, and as a last resort, use chemicals to control weeds. In this scenario, you should ensure that you have considered and exhausted all previous management methods. You can treat weeds chemically, using pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides, depending on whether they have germinated or not. Great care must be taken to understand the type of weed you are treating and the nature of the herbicide you are using. Always consider the environmental impact of weed control. Utilize environmentally friendly products and methods, and be sure to follow the warnings and instructions on the package. If chemical treatments are used, always wear protective clothing. Chemical treatments should be considered as the final step in integrated weed management.
Finally, plan for ongoing weed control and maintenance.
To best control weeds in your lawn, you should consider the following: set your mower blade to 3½ inches, fertilize 1 to 3 times a year, tolerate some browning, and choose the right grass type for your situation.
When it comes to weed control in general, consistency is key: make it a habit to regularly inspect your lawn and garden for signs of weed growth and address any problems as soon as they appear.
Staying vigilant and taking proactive measures can help prevent unacceptable weed growth and keep your lawn and garden healthy.
Clearly, there is much more to understanding and managing weed species than we have covered in this short article. The following link to the University of Minnesota's Weed Management Resources is an excellent source for effectively dealing with weed problems: extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden.
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
