Montagues versus Capulets. Hatfields versus McCoys. Nicki versus Mariah. Every time you hear about these famous feuds, you wonder why “Me versus The Weeds” hasn’t made its way into a classic novel or mainstream media. No matter what measures you take to rid your landscape of those pesky weeds, that once-perfect mulch bed still becomes a small jungle of thistles, dandelions and who knows what else.
Sure, you can spend hours on your hands and knees in the sweltering summer sun yanking them out, but this is more of a Band-Aid solution – it won’t permanently solve the problem. Weeds typically indicate that your landscape fabric is either deteriorating or a layer of dirt has washed on top of the fabric, giving the weeds the home they desire. Hence, you must attack the problem at the source: the fabric.
Clear It Out
To start, clear all rock and/or mulch from the bed. A tarp is a great place to dump the material if you want to reuse it.
Assess the Damage
Now it’s time to analyze the damage. Try to find where the weeds have been coming from and remove any dirt that is on the landscaping fabric.
Reinforcement
In the case of tears – or even if there are no tears visible – add an additional layer of landscaping fabric to cover the damaged areas. Be mindful of edging, as this is a very common area for weeds to pop up. You may need to remove the edging and place fabric all the way up next to it.
Return the Materials
Once the area has new fabric, you can return the materials to the bed. However, if your rock or mulch has dirt on it, you may just be recreating the problem. Wash them or buy new materials if necessary.
Follow these steps if you’re ready to take on those weeds once and for all, but if you don’t want the hassle of revamping your landscape, give us a call. We’re happy to join forces with you in your battle against the enemy.
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