If you have landscaped areas or a garden plot on your property, weeds are likely popping up everywhere as the weather warms up. No one wants to spend hours digging and pulling at weeds that seem to reappear days later, and as much as weed killer works, it isn’t a permanent fix and can be harmful to the plants and flowers you want to flourish. If you’d like to avoid the cycle of weed pulling and regrowth while protecting your plants, there are a few natural and simple things you can do to prevent and destroy weeds.

Natural Weeding Techniques

Salt

A salt mixture is a great way to eliminate existing weeds. Salt in large amounts is no good for anyone, including weeds. Combine 3 parts salt to one part water, mix until the salt is dissolved, and pour directly onto the weeds. If you’re treating weeds that are in close proximity to plants, be very careful not to get the salt water mixture near those plants as it can destroy their root systems as well.

Vinegar

Vinegar is the utility player of household tasks. It cooks, it cleans, and it even kills weeds! Fill an empty spray bottle with vinegar and go to work. Using the stream setting, spray weeds at the roots and douse the cracks and crevices in sidewalks and driveways where weeds like to grow. Hit hard to reach areas with the vinegar spray as well. It’s an inexpensive and time-saving way to terminate those sneaky weeds.

Dig Carefully

Weed seeds exist wherever you have soil, and they tend to stay in the top 1 inch of dirt. Whenever they’re exposed to even a small amount of sunlight, this is when they begin to germinate and grow. Since you probably can’t pull weeds in the dark, use a thin tool, like a screwdriver, to dig carefully around each weed for removal. The less soil you disrupt, the less weed seed you expose to sunlight for the chance to germinate.

Weed Prevention Strategies

Ground Cover

Weeds thrive in open soil. You can use plants to discourage weed growth in these areas. One option is to plant things close together so that the soil is shaded and weed seeds don’t get the sun they need to germinate. Another effective option is to use groundcover: low-growing plants that sprawl across open soil and fill in the gaps between larger plants. Groundcover keeps sunlight from reaching the soil and can choke out weeds that try to grow. There are many beautiful options for groundcover, and it requires little maintenance.

Mulch!

Mulch is extremely effective in keeping weeds at bay. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch will help keep the soil moist while simultaneously blocking sunlight from getting to weed seeds in the soil. If you choose organic mulch, it may contain bugs, like crickets and beetles, that actually eat weed seeds by the thousands! In addition, you can place a layer of newspaper, fabric or cardboard on top of the soil before you mulch. This added layer of protection will further deter weed growth.

Need a little help getting your landscape and garden beds in shape for spring? Give A&N Lawn Service a call. Our experienced Pittsburgh lawn care professionals will leave your landscaping clean, bright, and free of weeds! Contact us at 412-931-9230 or explore our website for more information.

As spring approaches and signs of growth are popping up all around us, the time has come to ready the yard, landscaping, flower beds, and gardens for the warm weather seasons. While it might be tempting to wait until things warm up, cultivating a healthy lawn and landscape starts before it gets warm. What are some things you can do to prepare the yard before spring hits? Continue reading →

Maximizing Garden Space/Kitchen Gardens

While many people have enjoyed maintaining large gardens throughout the pandemic, a gradual return to busier lives is prompting gardeners to pull back in terms of garden size and effort required to keep up with cultivation. Many are choosing to minimize the space that gardens take up and are opting for smaller, more conveniently located gardens that require less care but still provide for our desire to cultivate and grow our own food. Container gardens are appealing because they take up little space and can be easily moved when necessary. Vertical gardens are becoming popular due to their unobtrusive nature. Also trending are kitchen gardens, which focus mainly on growing herbs for cooking and making drinks. These gardens can flourish in a few small pots outside the kitchen window, on the balcony, or on the deck. Continue reading →

Tackling a home improvement project, big or small, can be an intimidating task. There are many factors to consider to ensure the outcome is what you desire. You want the build to go smoothly while you follow all guidelines in your area and, most importantly, stay within budget. Continue reading →

Santa may put the presents under the tree, but the best gifts are the memories made with loved ones around it. Picking the right Christmas tree means bringing holiday cheer into your home because so much is wrapped in your tree, don’t pick just a silly ole tree this year. With our tips, you’ll be able to choose a Christmas tree that carries the holiday spirit through the entire season. Once the holiday season ends, be sure to recycle your tree. Continue reading →

While some homeowners prefer a flat landscape, adding a few retaining walls can add depth add interest to your landscape. These are a great solution, especially if you have a steep or uneven backyard that is causing drainage problems. Continue reading →

Patios provide the perfect place to relax after a long day or even to gather with friends and family. When installing a patio, you have a multitude of options to choose from, but one proves to be superior – that’s pavers. Pavers are stones that are typically made from concrete; they can also be made from clay bricks or natural stone. A&N Lawn Service, your local retaining wall installers, share these reasons why pavers are the way to go. Continue reading →

Whether you have erosion concerns, drainage issues, or just a need for structural variety in your garden,  a retaining wall is a strong feature to add to your hardscaping plan. Our team at A&N Lawn Service has made us the leading specialist for retaining walls in the Pittsburgh area, and we have some tips for maintaining that freshly installed glow! Continue reading →

Knowing the difference between hardscaping and landscaping can ensure you are on the same page as your landscaper when you take on the design of your outdoor space. Continue reading →

When you have your hands in the dirt and your head in the sun, you are one with nature as you add to your vibrant garden. Whether you are revamping, rejuvenating, or redoing your garden, perfect plants are a huge part of the process. So, where is the best place to buy plants? The answer is easy: a local nursery like A&N Garden and Greenhouse. There are many advantages to buying for your local Pittsburgh nursery than a big-name retailer when considering the source, availability, service, and quality.
Continue reading →