The topic of weed control plays an important role for gardeners every year. However, there are ways to prevent weed growth. Here are 3 tips.
Every home gardener knows the problem of weed growth that can be found in flower beds, on the lawn and in crevices between spring and autumn. Anyone who has to fight against already rampant weeds has a hard time. Because with joint scrapers and taproot diggers, weed control is tedious work. However, there are a number of good weed control tips that provide quick relief.
But above all, it is the preventive measures that may seem expensive at first, but have a lasting effect and prevent weeding in the long term. Our tips now show you how you can prevent weed growth so that you don't have to pull as many weeds in the future.
Tips for preventing weed growth
Tip 1 - Mulching:
Spreading mulch on beds supplies the plants used with additional nutrients and serves to control weeds. Mulch is usually available in hardware stores made from chopped tree bark, which is why it is called bark mulch. Since there is no clear definition of bark mulch, some manufacturers also mix stones or plastic material into the mulch. Therefore, you should look for the RAL seal of the Quality Association for Substrates for Plants when purchasing to make sure that you are getting good quality.
The best times of year to spread mulch on flower beds are spring and fall. In spring, a thin layer on the freshly planted flower beds is usually sufficient. In the fall, the layer can be thicker to protect the soil over the winter. Don't forget to remove the weeds before mulching, or you'll soon find the first tender weed plants among the mulch.
» Tip:
You can also easily make mulch yourself: For example, simply take cuttings from a shrub, chop them up into small pieces and sprinkle the chopped material over the beds. See also shredders in test
Tip 2 - lay weed fleece:
Garden fleece is now offered in specialist shops for a wide variety of purposes. So e.g. also asWeed films or weed fleece. These are plastic foils or fabric foils that are spread across the entire area and are used to control weeds. Laying out a weed fleece is recommended, especially when creating new beds. Weed fleece can also be laid under terraces, carports and garden paths. This way weeds won't grow in the gaps between paving stones or gravel and you don't have to remove weeds with joint scrapers, gas burners or knives.
Lay weed fleece correctly:
When laying a weed fleece, you must ensure that the individual fleece webs overlap. Then cut the fleece in an X-shape where you want to plant plants. When you are done, cover the weed mat with gravel or bark mulch for aesthetic reasons.
Tip 3 - plant ground cover:
The principle is simple: you plant the beds so densely that the weeds do not find suitable growth conditions and can no longer thrive. Which plants help to control weeds depends on the location and use of the bed.
» Tip:
In purely ornamental beds, carpet-forming plants are particularly beautiful, which you place between the other plants. For example, small shrub roses, lady's mantle or the evergreen creeping spindle are suitable.