Weeds keep coming back? Here are the possible reasons
Weeds are a nightmare for any homeowner and things can get even more challenging if they seem to come back despite the best measures to eliminate them for good. These are hardy plants that have the potential for growing time and again even without any care or nutrition like you give the plants you love to grow. Even though you may never be able to win the battle against them completely, it is still possible to minimise them. And you must invest in weed control continually if you want your lawn to be in good shape. At the same time, it is important to identify the real reasons why they keep appearing in your landscape. If you are able to do it, you can easily invest in the right strategies and control them considerably. Here are the possible reasons for the weed recurrence that you should know about.
Incorrect weed removal
The most obvious reason why you may have weeds coming back time and again is that you may not be removing them properly. Some variants can be removed by simply pulling them out while others leave their roots behind and they simply grow back over time. Yet other types actually get spread around when you yank the plant. The effort does more harm than good because you may end up having a much larger number of weeds rather than what was originally there. Start by identifying the weeds you have and researching to find the best method to remove them. If you have one with tough roots that cannot be removed by pulling, digging it out is the right way. The best approach is to call a professional weed control service so that they can handle the various kinds of weeds and address their removal effectively.
Soil disturbance
While incorrect weed removal is one common issue that you may have to deal with, soil disturbance is another. Homeowners who don’t need these pesky intruders invest efforts in turning or tilling the garden soil with all good intentions. But they end up bringing up weed seeds so that they are able to germinate on exposure to sunlight, even after being dormant for many years. Having pets is also a risk factor because they also keep digging the soil. Additionally, if you aerate a weedy lawn without following it up with weed control, you can have a major problem ahead. Pre-emergent application in the disturbed areas of the lawn after digging is a good way of reducing the chances of reinvasion.
Presence of perennial weeds not treatable with pre-emergents
If you have perennial weeds, they will probably stay around for years. Such weeds have a multi-year life span, while their leafy growth may die off in winter and reappear once the season is over. The worst part is that their growth cannot be controlled with pre-emergents. In fact, some resistant varieties of perennial weeds such as wild garlic and wild violets may require multiple herbicide applications over a number of seasons to control them effectively. Weed control specialists at Gecko Pest weed control recommend the use of a post-emergent herbicide to control perennial weeds. Since there is much need for a proper and timely application for these plants, it is best to let professionals handle it.
Improper herbicide application
If you are a gardening DIY enthusiast, the last place to apply your skills is weed control. There are several possibilities of errors in herbicide applications that may have a big price to pay. From the wrong choice of application to incorrect technique and application on the wrong spots, there is much that can lead to weeds reappearing without warning. You need to be careful about timing the herbicide application right as well. With so many errors possible, there are chances that you may waste time and money. Alternatively, having professionals handle the A to Z of herbicide application is surely a smarter approach. Even if you spend on their services, you will actually save in the long run. While they will apply the right kind of product according to your needs, the chances of herbicide breakdown are also less because they will use quality products only.
Cross-contamination
Another potential cause of weed recurrence is cross-contamination. Essentially, it involves new seeds being spread around in the lawn while you try to get rid of the older weeds. This is something intentional but the results can be devastating. To make things worse, you may even contaminate your garden even as you move around. The seeds of these unwanted plants often get stuck to your shoes and get carried around from one part to the others. They may even hitch a ride in your pet’s paws and spread all around the lawn area. Similarly, you may also get new seeds if you remove the old topsoil and replace it with a new one. Every time you get a new planting medium for your lawn, ensure that it is weed-free or you may end up doing more harm than good.
External factors
You cannot just blame your shoes or your pet’s paws for contaminating your lawn. Sometimes weeds come back because of some factors that you just cannot control. These are external factors that have nothing to do with the homeowner’s actions and lawn care measures. Birds and squirrels may carry seeds from a neighbor’s lawn or elsewhere and spread them in your garden. Wind-blown weed seeds are another risk factor you cannot avoid. The best way to protect your place from unwanted growth is by using pre-emergent herbicides, specifically in spring and fall, to curb the seeds from germinating and growing into harmful weeds.
Now that you have a clear picture of the possible causes of recurring weed problems in your lawn, you will be able to deal with it more effectively. More than any other precaution, you need to get professional weed control services to make sure that your lawn stays weed-safe for as long as possible. This is one investment that your lawn absolutely deserves!
