Gardening is a job that needs to be done all year round. If you ease up during the autumn months, you can guarantee you'll have a jungle on your hands by the time it comes round to spring.
There's a common misconception that garden weeds only grow in the spring and summer months, but that's simply not the case. Here's why...
Why do weeds grow in autumn?
During the summer months when the weather is hot, our gardens (and weeds) flourish. Lots of plants are competing for the best spot in the garden and there are some species of weed that simply can't keep up. When you couple that with the regular gardening sessions we tend to have, where swathes of unwanted weeds are pulled from the ground, our gardens end up looking pretty weed-free.
Of course, when the weather starts to get colder, a lot of our garden plants die back. This leaves room for unwanted weeds to start establishing themselves in the vacant garden spaces. The damp, cool weather causes some of the seeds and bulbs in the soil to germinate, showing you just how persistent garden weeds can be. In addition, we spend a lot less time in our gardens during these months, so where we'd normally tackle a developing weed problem right away, these invasive plants are given a bit of extra time to sprout. Before you know it, your autumn garden can start to look very unkept.
What types of weeds grow in autumn?
- Clover
- Thistle
- Dandelion
- Ivy
- Bindweed
Here at Taylor Total Weed Control, we have years of experience dealing with almost any kind of weed you'll encounter in your garden. If you struggle to stay on top of your garden during the autumn months, our autumn weed control services may be right for you. Get in touch to find out more.
Are there any other problems I should look out for?
Autumn is a prime time for a variety of garden problems to occur. The damp, wet and dark conditions are perfect for moss, fungi and other lawn diseases to thrive. It's absolutely vital that you monitor your garden during this transitionary period and seek the help of professionals, especially if you're unsure how to tackle an autumnal problem you've not seen before. It's unlikely that all of the autumn weeds that appear will die down on their own, even in freezing conditions. You'd be surprised how resilient some weed species are!
Is Japanese knotweed an autumn weed?
Japanese knotweed is a garden weed that homeowners fear all year round. It's true that Japanese knotweed has a similar growth period to other types of weeds, with summer being its fastest-growing period. However, the autumn months are when Japanese knotweed flowers and starts to transfer all of its energy into its rhizomes under the soil for winter.
This is a critical period for homeowners. If they don't have the Japanese knotweed treated or excavated in time, it's highly likely that the rhizomes buried deep underground will rear their head the following year. Catching Japanese knotweed before the first frost is ideal if you want to prevent an ongoing problem.
Read More: Japanese Knotweed in the Autumn
If you're struggling to cope with the autumn weeds in your garden, the expert team from Taylor Total Weed Control are here to help! We can offer you a FREE garden survey to help determine the best course of action to help your garden through the toughest months of the year.
Photo from Pixabay
Is It Japanese Knotweed?