One of the evils naturally attending any
landscape endeavor is the fact that weeds need to be taken
care of. There are plenty of ways to keep the weeds out, but
chances are that at some point you are going to have to do
some weeding. Even the best herbicides and the best-laid
plastic liners are not full proof. Inevitably it will be necessary
to pull weeds by hands. But by making sure that you remove
the offending plants, you will have a better-looking landscape
over all, and can maintain a well-groomed yard.
The
proper way to weed by hand involves getting close to the
weeds. This means getting down on your hands and knees and
using your hands or maybe a small handheld tool to remove the
weeds. Getting close to the weeds allows you to attack each
individually while causing very little, if any, harm to your
more desirable plants. Additionally, while you are down there,
you might as well look at your plants to ensure that they are
in good health. Weeding can serve two purposes: getting rid
of interlopers and allowing you to be aware of problems to
your own plants before it is too late.
You
should pull even the smallest of the weeds. It is easier
to pull them when they are small. Their roots are less developed,
and they have less chance to wreak havoc on your own plants.
After all, a weed takes moisture and nutrients that are intended
for you plant and then hogs them for itself. If you get the
weed when it is small, then it does not have ample time to
weaken your plants. It is best to the pull the entire weed
out, including roots. Merely snipping them at the base leaves
the main problem still in the ground. You can us a small trowel
to help you get under the weed. It also helps to water your
garden a few hours before hand to help the soil give a little.
Pulling
weeds early in the day will help you, as it is cooler
and you can start the day off with some invigorating exercise.
You should weed regularly, once or twice a week. You could
weed every day, but many people do not have time for that.
But by setting a regular weeding schedule, you can make it
part of your weekly routine and make sure that small weeds
do not grow into large, ugly monsters. Dead weeds can be added
to the compost heap, as they do not decompose into more weeds.
They merely break down into helpful organic material.
Another
thing that can help keep weeds down is mulch. Mulch
keeps weeds out and it retains moisture in your garden. It
is possible to use plastic mulch, and this will almost entirely
keep all weeds out. However, it will not return nutrients to
your soil, nor is it environmentally friendly. Organic mulch,
created from the compost pile, can keep weeds down as long
as it is applied thickly. Any weeds that do happen to poke
through the mulch are very easy to pull. Paper can be used
in mulch, as long as you let it sit in the compost pile with
everything else, and it adds extra weed protection. Organic
mulch is environmentally friendly, and it acts as a natural
fertilizer. Effective composting practices can save you a great
deal of money in your landscaping efforts.
Of course, it
is possible to use weed killers and herbicides to get rid
of weeds in your landscape, or to keep them out. They make use of chemicals and are often the fastest way to
get rid of weeds. They are very effective: often the most effective
ways to get rid of weeds. Additionally, they require very little
effort to apply. It is important, however, to be careful. The
chemicals are harmful and if improperly applied can damage
your plants. They can also cause you trouble. Be sure that
all weed killers and herbicides you use are legal and approved
by the government. And read the labels to ensure that you apply
them properly and that you utilize proper protection to yourself,
as some of the chemicals are harmful if you breathe them in
or if they come in contact with your skin.
# # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
> Home
> Landscaping
Articles: Main Page
|
