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.
Another very effective way to keep weeds out of your lawn and garden without dumping a lot of toxic chemicals all over your landscape design is to install landscape fabrics. These specially made fabrics are very effective and can be considered a great hi-tech partner in battling weeds without chemical treatments.
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.
If you do decide you want to utilize vinegar in an organic approach to weed killing in your lawn and garden spaces, then you have to be careful to only apply it to the weeds and not to any of your plants. Vinegar would be classified as a "non-selective" herbicide, which means it will damage anything it touches and because of this it cannot be used for lawns. But, vinegar can be a very effective organic approach to controlling weeds around your flowers and plants if you take careful aim when spraying.
No building is complete without some grass, a few plants and some shrubbery to help enhance the quality of the building. The enhanced curb appeal as well as the added value can make the final difference when selling a home or adding to the over all value of the house. Any little bit helps and you do not always need a professional to do the landscaping for you. It never hurts to have some professional advice or a little bit of knowledge before you start ripping up your front yard, though. Some trees, some pleasant green grass, and you will get it down pat before you know it Who knows? Maybe you will consider it as a line of work that you may be curious in pursuing. Below there are some basic frequently asked questions of landscaping so that you can get some idea of how landscaping is completed and how it might be simpler than you may think.
What exactly makes up landscaping?
Landscaping is any alteration to the land. It can be done through a variety of methods. It could be through the utilization of flora. It may be through the use of fauna. There are different methods of landscaping and the types of landscaping used many times are dependent on what kind of environmental condition the area is situated. Landscaping also refers to natural structures and manmade structures such as terraces, decks, platforms and seating areas. Ponds and waterfalls can be natural or manmade depending on the terrain. In order to save money many individuals choose to take advantage of as many of the natural features of the area as possible.
If I decide to do the landscaping of my home myself, what are the various designs as well as ideas to assist me?
There are numerous software programs out on the market currently that can help you create your very own landscape. You will have to insert the unique size of your yard and then choose from the kind of terrain and climate you live in. The software can give you suggested plants and shrubbery that is best suited for your yard. If you want manmade terrains or structures, you will want to confer a carpenter for suggestions or a do-it-yourself website for instructions.
Whats the best way to decide on the kind of plant to use?
The type of plant you choose will be dependent on your environmental condition and the amount of water you want to use. It will also be dependent on the amount of sun your yard gets throughout the day. Some plants flourush in the shade while others will wilt. For those individuals who reside in areas that are prone to drought, they should consider planting hardy plants that need little water and actually help preserve the soil from process of erosion. Numerous individuals elect to have rock gardens as well as cactus if they live in desert environments.
When is the ideal planting season?
The ideal planting season is dependent upon what kind of plant you want to grow. Bulbs are best planted in the fall so that they have the necessary time to root within the soil. Other types of plants are best suited to planting during the spring months. Some plants will not produce flowers or fruits until one or two seasons later so you need to get ready for this. Trees will have to go through several years prior to them becoming substantial enough to give enough shade or produce fruit.
What will be the cost be to have my home landscaped?
It would be virtually impossible to get an accurate estimate without knowing how big your yard is, what the overall condition of the soil is and finally what kind of plants that you are looking to plant in your yard. You can generally guess that it will be at least five hundred dollars and can easily go in the range of several thousand dollars for exotic plants and intricate features. A landscaper can give you an estimate for the cost.
To discover more head on over to Landscape Designer and more information at Front Yard Landscaping and Tuscan Landscape Design
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