Saturday, November 22, 2008

Using Solutions Without Chemicals for Weed Control for Your Lawn and Garden

Being able to maintain a weed-free lawn and garden without resorting to the use of herbicides and pesticides might seem like an impossible goal or a lot of back-breaking work. But, the good news is that there are other ways to get rid of weeds, and do it without nasty chemicals. These approaches don't involved hours of hard labor trying to stay ahead of the weeds either. The premise of this article is to show you the way to work smarter instead of harder when it comes to keeping your back and front lawn both weed and chemical-free.

The first big change needed to begin controlling the weeds in your lawns and gardens without chemicals is to properly prepare the soil for the areas in question. This would be considered laying the proper foundation where you will be growing your plants. It is best to implement the following ideas before doing your plantings so that you get your chemical-free weed control project off to a great start.

One of the best ways to avoid having weeds sprout up in your gardens or patio lawn is to kill the weeds though a process called soil solarization. This is a preventative approach and a completely organic way of eliminating weeds before they even have a chance to sprout. However, soil solarization does require a good bit of work, and is only effective if you can start planting the area with a clean slate.

Installing landscape fabrics is another terrific way that you can significantly reduce the occurrence of weeds in your lawn and garden. Using them also eliminates the need for toxic weed-killing chemicals. These fabrics made for use in landscaping are for this purpose and can even be considered a hi-tech way to battle weeds without introducing chemicals.

Utilizing garden mulch is another very beneficial approach to protecting your lawns and gardens from an invasion of weeds. While landscape fabrics work from below the prepared planting area, mulch is applied to the top of the soil, around your plants and can effectively smother a weed trying to break through to the surface. Mulch can also be used in conjunction with the anti-weed landscape fabrics for a one-two punch strategy of organic weed control.

Another added benefit of using mulch is that it also has the ability to provide insulation to your plantings. This insulation value is particularly helpful in the summertime and can help to keep the underlying soil both cool and moist. This will reduce the watering requirements and will also protect the root systems from damage caused by sever heat.

While some people have chalked it up to an old wives tale, vinegar can also help you control weeds without chemicals. It is the acetic acid in the vinegar that delivers an herbicidal dose to weeds. But, you will need a stronger variety than what you probably have in the cupboard and you can look for super-strength vinegar in weed and feed stores.

However, if you want to use vinegar to organically kill the weeds in your lawn and garden, then you must apply it carefully and only to the weeds. Vinegar is a "non-selective" herbicide and can harm any plants that are exposed to it, so it is not recommended for lawns. But, vinegar can be a terrific way to control weeds organically in your planting beds if you are careful about spraying it only on the unwanted plants.

No realestate is finished without some type of grass, as well as some forms of shruberry to help enhance the overall quality of the building. The added value of curb appeal can make the difference when selling a house or increasing the value of a home. Any little bit helps and you do not always need a professional to do the landscaping for you. There is no downside to get some advice from professionals or some knowledge prior to you beginning tearing up your front yard. A few trees, some nice green grass and you will have it down pat before you know it. Who knows? Maybe you will decide it as a career that you might be interested in pursuing. The following are some of the frequently asked question people have for landscaping so that you can have an idea of how landscaping is done and how it can be easier than you might think.

 


At what point should I hire a landscaper?

You should hire a landscaper if you don't have a "green thumb" and you are not going to have the necessary time to devote to removing the old planting as well as landscaping the new. There are certain steps that must be put into place to stop soil erosion so it will require at least a weekend of difficult work. Landscaper's are not cheap but you can find one at a sensible price depending upon on how extensive the area is and how much labor you mean to complete yourself. If you are going to upkeep the area, you will save money as well.

 

What credentials should I look for in a superior landscaper?

An established landscaper will have a photography album of all the various landscape that he or she has created. The typically will have a background that has an education in landscape architecture or have a great deal of actual experience in landscaping. If you wish to see an actual landscape they have created as well as planted, the landscaper shouldn't hesitate at showing you or furnishing for you with the particulars to contact the owner of the property. It is in their best interest to have happy and satisfied clients.

 

Whats the best way to decide on the kind of plant to use?

The kind of plant you choose will be contingent upon on your environmental condition and the amount of water you want to use. It will also depend on how much sun your yard receives throughout the day. Some plants thrive in the shade when others will wilt. For those people who live in areas that are prone to drought, they should think about planting hardy plants that require small amounts of water and really help to maintain the soil from erosion. Numerous people elect to have rock gardens as well as cactus if they live in desert climates.

 

When is the ideal planting season?

The ideal planting season is dependent upon what kind of plant you wish to grow. The best time to plany bulbs is in the fall so that they have the necessary time to root within the soil. Other types of plants are more suitable to planting during the spring months. There are some plants will not produce flowers or fruits for at least one or two seasons later so you have to prepare for this. Trees will need to work through several years before they become large enough to furnish the right amount of shade or create fruit.

 

How much will it cost to landscape my home?

 

Without knowing how large your yard is, what condition the ground is and what type of plants you want to place in your yard it is impossible to estimate how much it will cost. You can generally guess that it will be at least five hundred dollars and can quickly run upwards of several thousand dollars for plants that are exotic and features which are complex. A landscaper can give you an estimate for the cost.

To find out more head on over to Pool Landscaping similarly Landscape Ideas also head on over to Pool Landscaping

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