Summer is in the air across most of the United States, and that means plenty of sunshine – except for summer showers that tend to pop up throughout the day. Between that rain and sun, weeds can become a serious problem in your gardens, in your flower beds, and even on your lawn. Below are some expert tips for keeping those pesky weeds at bay, even when the environment is perfect for them.

Flower beds

Weeds in your flower beds can be a real pain. Not only do they detract from the look of your beautiful flowers, but some are nutrient and water hogs, meaning they can actually kill your flowers if they aren’t dealt with promptly. Mulching your flower beds will often prevent weeds from taking root, but if you’re already dealing with weeds, there are two main ways to safely remove them: pulling them by hand and treating them with a solution.

If the weeds are few, the best option is to simply remove them by hand. Wear thick gardener’s gloves and pull the entire plant – root and all – to prevent regrowth. If this isn’t an option, or if you’re noticing more than just a few weeds emerging among your lilies but they haven’t yet taken over, you can try applying a solution of vinegar and water directly to the weed. You’ll need to do it frequently if it’s going to be effective.

Gardens

There’s something special about growing your own food, whether you have a simple herb garden in the backyard or a quarter-acre garden filled with all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and berries. Garden weed prevention and treatment can be tricky since the plants here are intended for consumption, but there are safe and reliable options. For smaller gardens, mulch can do wonders by smothering the weeds before they have a chance to grow. You can also consider installing a weed fabric barrier, which can be more effective for larger gardens.

If weeds are already problematic, you can pull them up by the roots to put a stop to them, but this can be hard work and if you don’t use some sort of preventative measure, they’ll almost certainly come right back. In some cases, you might opt to use an herbicide – especially if the weeds have all but taken over. Some herbicides are designed to be used in your fruit and vegetable gardens, but if you choose to go this route, it’s important to thoroughly clean anything you harvest before preparing it for consumption.

Lawns

If the majority of your weed problem exists on your lawn, herbicides may actually be the best bet here. There are several different types of herbicides available, so make sure you’re choosing the right one for the job. When the weeds are already present, you’ll want a post-emergent herbicide. These options come in selective and non-selective formulas; the former treats common species of broadleaf weeds while the latter is best for grassy weeds. Of course, prevention is the best medicine for lawn weeds, so make sure that you always keep your lawn aerated, watered, and fertilized. The healthier your lawn, the more likely it is to be free of weeds.

Weed control can be a real pain, especially in the summertime. It seems that weeds love hot weather, and when it rains, they multiply exponentially. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent and treat weeds, and if the job is too much for you to handle, contact Martin John Company for help.