Weeds. They creep and crawl their way into your flower bed, threatening to snuff out the plants you’ve worked so hard to establish, care for, and help thrive.
In Florida, the march of weeds toward your precious plants and blooms can feel inevitable, leaving you to wonder what you can possibly do to protect your landscaping.
If you find yourself screaming to the heavens, “What is the best way to get rid of weeds in flower beds?” we’re right there with you. Weeds are more than just nuisances, they are plant-killing, flower-strangling, landscape-destroying pests, and they’re mighty hard to eradicate.
If you’re craving solutions for how to keep weeds out of landscaping, you’ve come to the right place. Say goodbye to spending every Saturday on your knees and picking weeds, and say hello to the best ways to prevent weeds in Landscaping.
A weed may be nothing more than an out-of-place plant, but it’s a serious threat to your established flowers and landscaping plans. They can also harbor insects, steal nutrients, and be an overall nuisance, making them absolutely necessary to eliminate.
If you’ve noticed how challenging it is to contain and control weeds in Florida, you’re not alone. These pesky little nuisances seem to take root in impossible places and hold on even in the face of aggressive weeding.
It turns out that Florida's climate is to blame. The warm environment provides ample opportunity for undesirable weeds to sprout and quickly invade your lawn, flower beds, and more. Before you know it, your landscaping is gasping for nutrients, craving water, and lacking the sunlight it needs to thrive.
It’s likely you’ll see fewer weeds in the winter, but Florida winters typically aren’t very harsh, so you’ll need to be vigilant all year!
It is easier to embrace preventative maintenance than it is to repair avoidable damage. The same principle applies to weed control in landscape beds and other areas of your property–it is better to be preemptive and set yourself up for success from the start.
The easiest way to kick weeds out is to not let them take root in the first place. Thankfully, it’s easier than you might think to apply pre-emergent weed control in landscape beds.
Much like herbicides (or “weed killers”) that are applied to weeds that have already taken root, pre-emergence herbicides are used to destroy weeds before they can wreak havoc on your landscape. The difference is that these chemical mixtures are applied before the weeds start to grow.
Pre-emergence herbicides get rid of weeds in flower beds before they have an opportunity to take hold. You simply apply them to areas that are prone to weed growth and watch them work.
There is some nuance to choosing the right pre-emergent herbicide and applying it correctly, however. For example, these mixtures come in liquid or granular forms. They can also be specially formulated to target specific types of weeds, making them particularly effective.
Mulch is often thought of as a decorative landscaping element, but it can be so much more than purely aesthetic. In fact, it is one of the best ways to prevent weeds in landscaping, making it a valuable addition to your plant and flower beds.
Mulch is convenient, stylish, and relatively affordable, but one of its most valuable traits is its ability to prevent weeds. Laying down two to three inches of mulch in landscape beds can keep weeds out and your plants healthy, happy, and vibrant.
If you want to go above and beyond with your landscape weed control in Tampa Bay, installing a weed barrier can do the trick. This product–which comes in many forms and is known by several names–is essentially a sheet of fabric that covers the soil and sits below a layer of mulch (or mulch alternative).
The idea is to prevent weeds from sprouting by limiting their nutrients, access to sunlight, physical ability to grow upward, and so on. It is especially popular among those who prefer not to rely on herbicides, and it can be very effective in preventing opportunities for weeds to succeed.
Pre-emergent weed control may be the best way to prevent weeds in landscaping, but sometimes, the weeds are already alive and taking over your property. In scenarios such as these, determining how to get rid of weeds in flower beds before they spread is essential.
Those of you who loathe manual labor, avert your eyes–sometimes, getting down and dirty is the only way to remove those pesky weeds from your landscape.
That’s right; we’re talking about pulling weeds by hand. It sounds like an easy process because it is, but there are some important things to take into consideration when hand-pulling weeds.
Be sure to remove the entire root system. If you don’t, the weed will most likely grow back quicker than you can shake your fist at the sky. You may also want to use a small knife to speed up the process, remove any foliage that is in the way, and get to the root of the problem (pun intended). Just be careful when using a sharp object!
If you want to get really medieval on those weeds, we suggest this practice. Using a hoe or a scuffle hoe, you basically “decapitate” weeds in their tracks, cutting off their growth and pulling out their roots.
This is a quick, effective form of preventing weeds, but it does take some practice. It is also important to be careful to avoid injury to yourself and the plants you don’t want to harm!
Listen, weeds are ruthless, and they can be a nightmare to get rid of. Sometimes, despite our efforts, they best us.
Whether your pre-emergent weed control in landscape beds fails or you’re tasked with eliminating an infestation that already exists, using a post-emergent weed killer can be just the advantage you need to win the fight for your landscaping.
A post-emergent weed killer does more than just kill pre-existing weeds. It can also help target weeds that are incredibly difficult to corral, including those that can blow around, land, and start their growing process.
Sometimes, tricky landscapes will require you to repeat your weed control process a few times. Once clear, however, the goal should be to maintain a healthy, weed-free landscape. Remember, the best way to prevent weeds in landscaping is to stop them from growing in the first place!
All of the tactics mentioned here can be used to maintain a weed-free property, with one key shared component–consistency. Stopping weeds from invading your landscape requires frequent attention and consistent maintenance. While landscape weed control in Tampa Bay does require time, energy, and effort, the results are totally worth it!
Now that you are equipped with the best ways to prevent weeds in landscaping, it’s time to make sure you don’t make any mistakes that could negatively affect your weed control in landscape beds. If you avoid these, your weed control methods are sure to be successful!
While you can get rid of weeds in flower beds yourself, working with a professional is often the better option. Not only do they have the knowledge and experience to deal with specific weeds in the most effective way, but it is also their job to maintain your property consistently and to a standard of excellence.
Landscape weed control in Tampa Bay is a constant battle. It requires dedication, consistency, and a commitment to remove those pesky plants and prevent them from returning.
As a local landscaping company with 25 years of experience helping Tampa Bay properties thrive, Landcrafters knows a thing or two about those unsightly invasive weeds that seem to fight through no matter what you throw at them.
The good news? All those years of combatting weeds has taught us how to eliminate them and keep them gone for good!
If you are ready to win the fight against weeds once and for all or simply want to discuss how to take your landscape to the next level, don’t hesitate to request a consultation, give us a call, or fill out the form by clicking below. Our team of experts is ready to help.