Lawn Care & Grass

Being able to maintain a weed-free lawn and garden without resorting to the use of herbicides and pesticides might seem like an impossible goal or a lot of back-breaking work. But, the good news is that there are other ways to get rid of weeds, and do it without nasty chemicals. These approaches don’t involved hours of hard labor trying to stay ahead of the weeds either. The premise of this article is to show you the way to work smarter instead of harder when it comes to keeping your back and front lawn both weed and chemical-free.

The first big change needed to begin controlling the weeds in your lawns and gardens without chemicals is to properly prepare the soil for the areas in question. This would be considered laying the proper foundation where you will be growing your plants. It is best to implement the following ideas before doing your plantings so that you get your chemical-free weed control project off to a great start.

One of the best ways to avoid having weeds sprout up in your gardens or patio lawn is to kill the weeds though a process called soil solarization. This is a preventative approach and a completely organic way of eliminating weeds before they even have a chance to sprout. However, soil solarization does require a good bit of work, and is only effective if you can start planting the area with a clean slate.

Another effective approach to eliminating weeds from your lawn and garden areas is installing landscape fabrics. These specially manufactured fabrics will go a long way in helping you get rid of weeds without the need to spray toxic chemicals all over the landscape.

Utilizing garden mulch is another very beneficial approach to protecting your lawns and gardens from an invasion of weeds. While landscape fabrics work from below the prepared planting area, mulch is applied to the top of the soil, around your plants and can effectively smother a weed trying to break through to the surface. Mulch can also be used in conjunction with the anti-weed landscape fabrics for a one-two punch strategy of organic weed control.

Another added benefit of using mulch is that it also has the ability to provide insulation to your plantings. This insulation value is particularly helpful in the summertime and can help to keep the underlying soil both cool and moist. This will reduce the watering requirements and will also protect the root systems from damage caused by sever heat.

While some people have chalked it up to an old wives tale, vinegar can also help you control weeds without chemicals. It is the acetic acid in the vinegar that delivers an herbicidal dose to weeds. But, you will need a stronger variety than what you probably have in the cupboard and you can look for super-strength vinegar in weed and feed stores.

Keep in mind that vinegar is a “non-selective” natural herbicide, so if you choose to use it to control the lawn and garden weeds around your home, then you must take care to apply it only to the weeds. For this reason it is not a good solution for use on lawns, other than in areas where the weeds can easily be identified and sprayed individually. However, it makes a fine organic solution to keeping weeds in check without the problems associated with chemicals.

No realestate is finished without some type of grass, as well as some forms of shruberry to help enhance the overall quality of the building. The added value of curb appeal can make the difference when selling a house or increasing the value of a home. Any small amounts help and you don’t have to always use a professional to complete the landscaping for you. It never hurts to have some professional advice or a little bit of knowledge before you start ripping up your front yard, though. Some trees, some pleasant green grass, and you will get it down pat before you know it Who knows? Maybe you will decide it as a line of work that you might be curious in following. Below there are some basic frequently asked questions of landscaping so that you can get some idea of how landscaping is completed and how it might be simpler than you may think.

 

When should I hire a landscaper?

You should hire a landscaper if you do not have a “green thumb” and you are not going to have the necessary time to commit to getting rid of the prior landscape and planting the new. There are specific steps that must be put into place to stop the erosion of soil so it will require at least a weekend of difficult work. Landscaper’s are not inexpensive but you can find one at a fair price contingent upon on how large the area is and how much labor you intend to complete yourself. If you are going to upkeep the area, you will spend less money as well.

 

If I decide to landscape my home myself, what are some designs and ideas to help me?

There are numerous software programs that are on the market at present that can help you create your very own landscape. You will have to insert the shape of your yard and then select from the kind of terrain and climate you live in. The software can give you suggested plants as well as shrubbery that is best suited for your yard. If you wish to have manmade terrains or structures, you will wish to consult a carpenter for suggestions or a do-it-yourself website on the internet for directions.

 

Whats the best way to decide on the kind of plant to use?

The kind of plant you choose will depend on your environmental condition and how much you want to water. It will also depend on how much sun your yard receives during the day. Some plants thrive in the shade when others will wilt. For those individuals who reside in areas that are prone to drought, they should consider planting hardy plants which require little water and actually help to conserve the soil from eroding. Many individuals elect to have rock gardens as well as cactus if they live in desert climates.

 

At what time is the ideal season for planting?

The ideal planting season depends on what type of plant you want to grow. Bulbs are best planted in the fall so that they have time to root within the soil. Other plants are best suited to planting in the months of the spring. Some plants will not produce flowers or fruits for at least one or two seasons later so you need to get ready for this. Trees will need to work through several years prior to them becoming large enough to furnish enough shade or to create fruit.

 

How can I protect my newly planted greenery and flowers from the weather and elements?

During the early weeks and months many plants are at risk of dying from the atmospheric condition however you can take steps to assist in preventing this. Two of the greatest threats are the rain as well as the wind. To guard your plants from both you will have to furnish with protection. You can lay down a a barrier to protect between the ground and the plant. This will assist in securing the roots of the plant and prevent too much water from soaking into the earth. The added benefit will be prevention of weeds from growing up through the barrier. To keep the soil from getting wind erosion, spread hay or straw around the plants to help protect the soil. If you put a protective bag around the plant that will maintain the plant warm enough to defend against frost.

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