One thing that all lawn care enthusiasts and homeowners can agree on is that weeds are a nuisance, especially the invasive and problematic type. However, not all weeds respond to dangerous chemical the same way. Many weeds are in fact resistant to herbicides and respond much better to different methods of control.
By understanding and utilising these different methods, you will be in the best possible position to eradicate all and any weeds that may start to crop up in and around your lawn.
So, let's take a look at the different weed control methods that you can start using.
Methods to Control your Weeds
Weed Pulling
Uprooting weeds by pulling is an effective method of preventing them from spreading even further. If you're hesitant about using your hands, you can try powerful tools such as weed wrenches, which are particularly handy (pun intended) when you're trying to get hold of large saplings and shrubs that are too big to be pulled manually. Pulling weeds offers several advantages, including the minimal damage caused to surrounding plants, the small environmental impact and the low-cost. However, weed pulling can be boring and laborious with its effect only being seen in relatively small areas.
Mowing & Cutting
Mowing and cutting your lawn can slow down the production of seed and limit the growth of weeds. This is particularly effective when performed before the weeds begin to flower and sets seed. However, some weed species aren't impacted by mowing and cutting and can re-sprout continuously when cut, making the weed set seed and flower even quicker than usual.
Mowing and cutting can be done as primary treatments alongside herbicide applications to remove aboveground biomass. You need to ensure, however, that you gather and store away the mowed party of the weed that is capable of re-sprouting from the stem or root segments. By doing this, you will make sure that the cut or mowed parts of the weeds will not infest the other areas of your lawn.
Mulching
Mulching is another technique that you can use to control weeds in small areas. But be careful, as mulching can also stunt or stop the growth of the surrounding plants on your lawn. Mulching isn't as effective against some perennial weeds, especially those that continue to absorb food despite mulching.
Stabbing
By stabbing weeds, you can destroy their carbohydrate storage structure which immediately starts to starve them, leading to their death. This again depends on their species. The organs that hold this carbohydrate storage structure are located at the base of the stem below the soil.
This can be done by pushing a knife or flat-nosed spade as far below the soil as possible to tear a taproot. To stop re-sprouting, ensure the taproot is severed below the crown of the root.
Tilling
Tilling, also known as turning over the soil, is often used in protecting agricultural crops from weeds. this method of weed control is often applied to areas where the soil is already severely disturbed. Tilling is best performed when the earth remains dry and best completed before weed seeds being to develop.
To perform this effectively, turn over the soil and cut the weeds' roots at six inches to two feet. The work the top six inches of the earth to manage weed growth.
Girdling
Girdling is another weed control method that you can use. Here, you cut away or chip several centimetres of the bark around the trunk. When the cut is deep enough, the vascular cambium which stores and moves the carbohydrates through the tree is removed, therefore killing it. This process requires much less labour than mowing and cutting and will only kill the targeted weed.
Flooding
An unusual and unlikely form of weed control is flooding. If you live in an area where the water levels can be manipulated, you can use this to halt the growth of some species of weeds. Other species, however, have underground storage organs which allow them to live through flooded conditions for months. Flooding helps to saturate an area with water, soaking the soil and ultimately blocking oxygen from entering the root, effectively killing the weed.
Soil Saturation
This is the final weed control technique that you can use. Here, the temperature of the soil is increased until the weed is killed. Soil saturation helps to release nutrients that are trapped in the soil while killing weeds without having to use herbicides. Covering the earth with materials, usually black plastic, solar radiation causes the process of photosynthesis to stop, ultimately killing the weed.
These are all the weed control methods that you can try out to stop weeds from growing on your lawn. We know, however, how time-consuming weed control can be and as a result, offer professional weed management services that mean you don't have to lift a finger when it comes to removing weeds from your lawn.
Be sure to request your FREE survey today or get in touch with a member of the Taylor Total Weed Control team by clicking below!
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