With springtime finally here, many homeowners are taking to the outdoors to get their backyards in order after the harsh cold of winter. From revitalizing the lawn to cleaning out debris, there is always a substantial list of tasks to be done in order to get things back to springtime standards.
Despite all of your best efforts, though, you might still find your yard plagued by some of the more frustrating enemies to your lawn and garden: weeds. Weeds seem to have the uncanny ability to survive when all other greenery and plants cannot and can be incredibly difficult to manage and get rid of.
While there are a number of chemical-based products on the market that can be used to help cull weeds, these aren’t always the most environmentally friendly methods to use and can be dangerous to use in excess if you have pets or small children. It is far better in most cases to try to find a more sustainable and natural solution to your weed woes.
With that in mind, here are three natural ways in which you can reduce weeds in your backyard and garden:
1. Mulch
There are many benefits to using mulch in your garden and yard that go far beyond keeping weeds at bay. Not only is mulch rich in nutrients that can help your plants to grow and thrive, but it also makes for a lovely aesthetic in your garden.
As far as weeds are concerned, mulch helps to block out the sunlight and prevent weeds from germinating in the first place. The level of moisture control that you get when you put down a layer of mulch also helps as well. You can purchase quality mulch for your garden for some affordable prices as well so that you can do your part for the environment while you keep weeds at bay.
2. Newspaper
If you need to use a thicker barrier for the weeds in your garden, you can place a layer of newspaper underneath your layer of mulch. This will make for an even denser block for the sun so that even weeds that have started to germinate won’t stand a chance. Furthermore, this is a great way to recycle any old newspapers that you have around the house.
In order to use this method, simply wet the ground that you wish to cover, place your layer of newspaper down, and then cover it in mulch. This should help keep your garden weed-free this spring.
3. Corn Gluten Meal
Another common trick of the trade when it comes to gardening is corn gluten meal. This is a product that will actually stop any seeds from germinating, so it is best to use it before those weeds start to spring up.
It is also important to only use cornmeal around your established plants as opposed to the seeds that you are looking to grow this spring, as they will be affected by the treatment as well.
