Simple Hacks to Ensure a Weed-Free Lawn

With the arrival of spring, you will no doubt be relieved just to see the grass in your front yard and backyard without inches of snow covering it.

Once the initial thrill of seeing green again wears off, it will become abundantly clear that you have a great deal of work ahead of you to get your yard back to impeccable condition.

One of the biggest impediments you will encounter along the way is weeds, which will almost certainly begin cropping up throughout your yard indiscriminately. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can get rid of weeds and remain in control of your lawn.

Here are a few suggestions for the battle against weeds.

Try vinegar

According to the Better Homes and Gardens website http://BHG.com, regular household vinegar is a great solution for killing weeds that are two weeks old or younger, as well as on weeds that appear from cracks in concrete. To rid yourself of perennial weeds, BHG.com recommends a 20 percent vinegar solution (as opposed to the 5 percent solution that is typically sold in stores) that can be purchased at farm stores or garden centers. Because it is such a strong concentration, it is advisable to wear gloves and goggles when applying, and to spray or brush the vinegar solely on the intended weeds.

Try mulch

Applying mulch over an area that is affected by weeds is something of a two-for-one approach. The density and chunkiness of mulch suffocates any lingering seeds that would lead to more weeds, and its presence in an area also helps introduce nutrients into the soil. BHG.com recommends bark or wood chips for this purpose, though straw, leaves or grass clippings could be used if layered atop newspaper or cardboard.

Consider grass length

It is fairly typical to mow one’s grass once a week or every other week, and keeping a regulated mowing schedule helps battle back weeds in its own right. Another aspect of mowing that helps keep weeds at bay is the length to which you cut it. According to DIYNetwork.com, keeping your grass at 2 – 3.5 inches in length will ensure that weeds do not have the shade necessary for germination.

ThisOldHouse.com adds that mowing too low can help light reach crabgrass and goosegrass and reduces the ability of regular grass to generate nutrients necessary for healthy growth. It is also suggested that alternating your mowing pattern to a 45- or 90-degree angle will prevent grass from leaning, which also contributes to weed germination more than upright-standing grass.

Just the right amount of water

According to ThisOldHouse.com, too much or too little water can impact the weeds that sprout up on your lawn. Watering lightly and often promotes the growth of certain weeds, while not watering enough promotes the growth of others. For a nice, happy medium, it is recommended that you water your lawn infrequently—i.e. once every week—and deeply. The recommended application is one inch of water per week, an amount that BHG.com notes also helps soften the soil if you decide to pull weeds from the ground by their roots.

By following these tips, you can help your lawn thrive in the warmth of spring and summer.

This article is presented by Lexus of Northborough in Northborough, Massachusetts.