If you want to maintain stunning outdoor spaces all year round, you need to focus on weed control.
Weeds are the number one enemy of a garden, lawn or any kind of commercial property. Not only do they steal all the water, nutrients and sunlight but with no control in place they can quickly turn a well-designed outdoor space into an unrecognisable mess.
The good news is that weed control doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. The most effective way for property owners to stay on top of weeds is to implement a seasonal weed control process.
In this article, we cover what you need to know about each season to keep your outdoor space looking amazing all year long.
Contents
- Why Seasonal Weed Control is So Important
- Spring Weed Prevention and Preparation
- Summer Weed Control Essentials
- Autumn and Winter Weed Preparation
- Picking the Right Weed Control Method for Your Needs
Why Seasonal Weed Control is So Important
The first thing you need to know about weeds is that…
They have different growth cycles depending on the season.
Some weeds are most active during spring while others wait for summer to really take off. Understanding weed growth cycles is key to managing them effectively.
Weeds cost Australian farmers $4.8 billion per year according to the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. A large figure? You bet. But even on a smaller scale weeds are sucking up property owners’ time, money and effort.
Successful weed control isn’t just about dealing with what’s in front of you. It’s also about prevention.
Seasonal weed control is a way for property owners to protect their investment by anticipating and preparing for each weed growth cycle. Property owners who invest in professional weed control in Tamworth are wise to know that keeping your outdoor space looking amazing requires year-round maintenance and the right know-how.
Simple stuff, right? Let’s take a look at the key activities required for each season.
Spring Weed Prevention and Preparation
Spring is the time when all the real work begins.
Temperatures are rising and rainfall is getting more frequent. Weed seeds that have been lying dormant over winter are now waking up and trying to take over.
The important thing is to get ahead of the weeds during this period.
Pre-emergent herbicides are one of the most powerful tools for early spring weed control. Pre-emergent products stop weed seeds from germinating in the first place. Applied correctly they mean less work down the track.
During spring it’s also a great idea to:
- Assess the lawn and garden beds for bare patches
- Apply mulch
- Check irrigation systems are working properly
- Feed the plants you want to keep to help them out-compete weeds
Healthy lawns and garden beds are the first line of defence against weed invasion. When grass is thick and plants are flourishing, there’s simply less space for weeds to get a foothold.
Summer Weed Control Essentials
Summer presents some new challenges for weeds.
Heat-loving weeds such as bindii, clover and nutgrass love it when the weather gets hot and these opportunistic weeds can quickly take over without proper control measures.
Monitoring is the key word during the summer months. The property should be walked regularly to find and remove weeds before they set seed. You only need one weed to go to seed and you can have a problem for years to come.
Summer weed control should include:
- Mowing at the correct height
- Watering deeply but less often
- Spot-treating problem areas
- Maintaining soil health through fertilisation
It’s important to note that summer can be a stressful time for lawns and they may need additional care and watering to stay healthy and weed resistant.
A common mistake in the summer is mowing the lawn too short. This exposes bare soil to sunlight and allows weed seeds to germinate more easily.
Autumn and Winter Weed Preparation
Many property owners think that once summer ends they can rest on their laurels as far as weeds are concerned.
This is a big mistake.
Autumn is the ideal time to target perennial weeds with deep root systems. As these plants draw nutrients down into their roots in preparation for winter dormancy, any herbicide will be taken down to the root system too.
Winter might be a quieter time for weeds but there are several species that prefer cool weather conditions. Winter grass, chickweed and cudweed are some of the most common weeds that can overtake lawns in cooler months.
A well-planned autumn approach will include:
- Applying post-emergent herbicides
- Laying pre-emergent products for winter weed species
- Aerating the lawn to improve soil health
- Overseeding bare patches
Weeds account for 82% of the total cost of pest management across Australian agriculture according to the Australian Department of Agriculture. Residential and commercial properties are on a much smaller scale, but the principle applies. Prevention is always less expensive and time-consuming than reacting to problems later.
Picking the Right Weed Control Method for Your Needs
There are various approaches to weed control and no one method will suit every situation.
The right approach depends on the types of weeds that are present, the plants you want to keep and the environment.
Broad-spectrum herbicides are not always the answer because they can damage other plants as well as the weeds. Spot treating problem areas is better.
Selective herbicides are also useful in many situations because they only target certain weed types without harming other plants. This is especially helpful when weeds need to be removed from lawns.
Mulching is one of the most effective natural weed control methods for garden beds and paved areas. A thick layer of mulch blocks sunlight and prevents weed seeds from germinating.
Manual weed removal also has its place. Hand weeding is effective for small patches and when the weeds are small and haven’t had a chance to develop a large root system.
In short, the most successful approach to weed control is to match the method to the situation. One method may not be ideal for every area or weed type.
Bringing It All Together
Seasonal weed control is one of the best ways to maintain beautiful, healthy outdoor spaces all year round.
It will save property owners time, money and effort by preventing problems before they arise rather than reacting once they’re a major issue.
Here’s a quick recap of the approach to seasonal weed control we recommend:
- Spring: Apply pre-emergent herbicides and work on building lawn health
- Summer: Monitor regularly and ensure the mower is set to the correct height
- Autumn: Focus on perennial weeds and prepare for winter weeds
- Winter: Stay on top of weeds even in cooler weather
Property owners who get the best results are those who understand that weed control is an ongoing process, not a one-off activity. Every season has different challenges and different opportunities.
The key is to stay on top of seasonal weed control and before long any outdoor space will stay healthy, attractive and largely weed-free. The kind of results that make it all worthwhile.
