Are you struggling with a flower bed full of weeds? A few sneaky weeds can quickly become many if given the chance to spread. For that reason, it doesn’t take long for a small problem to become a big one.
The problem is that weeds in a flower bed are not only an eyesore but also a “thief” to your other plants and flowers. They will actively steal nutrients, water, and even sunlight from your valuable plants, causing them to struggle.
Over time, the weeds can completely overtake your beds if given the chance.
You might be wondering how to clear a flower bed full of weeds. In this article, we will dive into dealing with existing weeds and also how to stop weeds from growing in a flower bed in the first place.
If you’ve got a flower bed full of weeds, you’re probably feeling frustrated. But weeds are a common enemy here in North Texas and will take any opportunity they can get to grow and spread.
The reason that weeds are so prolific is that it does not take much for them to survive. They can thrive with very little water. They also grow in any soil, even when the conditions aren’t great. Weeds tend to grow faster and with more vigor than healthy plants in the landscape.
Since weeds are such aggressive growers, you need to be diligent about killing weeds in flower beds. As we mentioned, a small problem can become a large one quite quickly so there’s no wrong time to address weeds.
One common way that people address weeds in their landscape beds is by hand-pulling them. That will work for certain weed types but often pieces snap off and the weeds just re-grow.
In fact, hand-pulling weeds can sometimes stimulate more growth. Certain perennials are stimulated to grow new shoots when pulled. That means that your hand-pulling strategy could be leading to bigger and stronger weeds.
This is why killing weeds in flower beds must also involve product controls. Both pre and post-emergent weed control in North Texas should be part of an effective solution.
Pre-emergent herbicides are effective on weeds that germinate and spread through seeds. Pre-emergents help to create a barrier that prevents germination from happening.
Post-emergent controls work on weeds that do not reproduce via seed or that are already sprouted. Spot-spraying weeds with post-emergent control can help kill these weeds.
Another aspect of weed control in North Texas is regular mulching. There are a lot of benefits to mulching. Most people automatically think of aesthetics. It is true that mulch creates a rich backdrop for plantings and makes colorful annuals and perennials pop.
But it is also an essential part of landscape maintenance because it enhances landscape beds by stabilizing soil temperature and protecting plant roots. Mulch helps retain moisture, which is helpful during hot North Texas summers when water restrictions are in place in many communities, limiting irrigation times.
And when it comes to your weed control strategy, mulch also plays a valuable role in suppressing weeds.
We recommend that mulch is applied AFTER an application of pre-emergent herbicide. Existing mulch can be churned up to improve the circulation of oxygen and nutrients. Then, a fresh layer of mulch can be applied evenly on top.
Mulch plays a role in weed suppression by making it difficult for breakthrough weeds to pop through. You are limiting their access to sunlight with a healthy coating of mulch on the top of your plant bed.
While mulch is a great weed suppressant, it’s not powerful enough on its own. If you were to heap a bunch of mulch on a flower bed full of weeds, you’re just buying yourself a little bit of time before they pop through. Mulch alone is simply not enough to address existing weeds.
That’s why it’s also important to keep up with your use of herbicides.
When it comes to killing weeds in flower beds, it’s important to know that these are not “once-and-done” efforts that we’re talking about here.
We know that weed control can feel like a full-time job. It’s like a game of Whack-a-Mole: Just when you think you’ve got weeds knocked down in a landscape bed, they pop up in another part of your landscaping (or just feet away from the “treated” area).
Therefore, the best defense (and offense) against weeds is to layer the control with pre and post-emergent herbicides, mulch, and hand-weeding on a regular schedule throughout the year.
You’ll also want to regularly mulch. At the very least we recommend twice a year (spring and fall), but some clients prefer to do more.
The combination of hand-pulling, herbicides, and mulching can be an effective approach if you keep up with it. It will not only address existing weeds but will prevent future ones, as well.
Managing weeds in North Texas takes commitment, persistence, and a good amount of time and energy.
The job is never done. There is no “winter break” from weed control since we have year-round mild temperatures. But during spring and summer, your landscaping will require even more attention because weeds grow faster and with more vigor during this peak season, just like your plants.
But when you make weed control in North Texas a year-round effort, you have the most possible chance of success.
Keeping up with weeds can be a lot of work. As we’ve mentioned, it can feel like an endless cycle that sometimes feels like it’s not making any progress. Weeds can be a huge source of frustration and stress and they can take a lot of time and effort to deal with.
But it doesn’t have to all be on you.
When you partner with a professional, you have a better chance at success. They will make sure that the right weed control products are applied at the right time to maximize the effort.
An expert will be able to recognize exactly what types of weeds you’re dealing with and know how to treat them. Correctly applying weed control material at the proper time is incredibly important.
You don’t have to let weeds get the best of your lawn. When you have an expert on your side, you can get rid of weeds in your plant beds and get back to enjoying your property to the fullest.
We understand how frustrating it can be to fight weeds that crop up in your landscaping. We can help you manage weeds in your landscape and get the lawn you deserve with a total landscape maintenance program that takes a holistic approach. Get a Free Quote, then you can enjoy the best lawn on the block!
