Gardeners look forward to spring because it is synonymous with growth, but unfortunately, it is also a time when weeds invade.
Like flowers, annual weeds germinate from seeds at the start of the spring season and subsequently bloom during the summer.
Due to the timing of this life cycle, it makes more sense to target pesky weeds ahead of spring, while they’re still germinating.
This is why gardening expert Nick Ee, from BLACK+DECKER, stresses the importance of removing garden debris.
Weeds compete with surrounding plants for nutrients
PA“Start by clearing away any debris like grass clippings from the lawn cut, stray leaves and mud that has been walked onto the patio or decking area,” he explained.
“Raking away moss regularly and removing old grass shavings or leaves from the surface of the lawn is important because if left, the layers of thatch will encourage weeds to grow, making next year’s cleaning even bigger.”
Areas affected by moss growth should be hosed down thoroughly so that no residue remains.
“After removing these loose bits of waste, use a pressure washer to give your patio a thorough wash down,” notes Nick.
“Be sure to experiment with the different nozzles available to find the right one for the surface you’re cleaning.
“Using the optimal nozzle and water pressure combination will help you get the job done more quickly.”
Removing garden waste will do more than keep your outdoor space in good nick, as it will also help plants grow with vigour.
Garden weeds compete with surrounding plants for essential nutrients from the ground, causing the more desirable plants to become damaged.
In other words, weeds cause plants to starve because they don’t have the nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus that they need to grow.
Just as certain weeds smother plants, the opposite is equally possible. Ground cover plants are generally deemed the best for smothering pesky weeds.
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Removing debris from the garden will stop weeds from popping up
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Pachysandra is just one variety of plants that kill off weeds by blocking out every little bit of light from below.
Other varieties include Lady’s Mantle, Bugle, and Heuchera, which kill weeds using similar mechanisms.
Gardening enthusiast Richard Jackson explains on his website: “Just one thing. Ground cover plants are much better at something the growth of new weeds than squeezing out weeds that are well-established.
“Don’t for a moment support that if you plant these weed smotherers where there are already masses of weeds then the weeds will magically disappear,” Jackson writes on his website.