So this year it seems more like May showers will bring June flowers! But I’m definitely not complaining…only thing I am complaining about is all the darn weeds that seem to pop up overnight with the unusual weather we have had this spring. So as a friendly reminder to all of our clients that we have mulched this past April and May, this is the perfect time to do another application of weed control and pre-emergent so that you can protect your spring investment. We provide a useful guide to our clients along with a contact for the Green Scene a company that provides bed and area weed control for larger accounts or if you are too busy (lawns, woodlines, landscape plantings, walkways, patios, pool stone etc) and here’s a copy for reference: Maintenance-Care-guide-after-mulching
First up is controlling the weeds you can see growing in your landscape, walkways or walls with a spray for killing live weeds. We recommend using Roundup Weed Killer and there are a number of different kinds depending on what you are looking to get rid of. It is absorbed by the leaves of the weed/plant and then with sun and warm temperatures the weed will start to die from within. Believe me It’s a lot easier to pull a dead weed that releases it’s roots from the soil than a live one that is still clinging on for dear life.
For those of you that have reservations about using Roundup around children or pets due to all the negative media that is out there, then I would suggest using the Organic Avenger line of weed control products. It is made out of citrus oils and burns the plant. You may have to use more of it or apply more often but if it gives you piece of mind and takes care of the weeds then go for it. The only other recommendation would be good old fashion hand pulling as long as you have the time and patience. I have heard it’s a gardener’s form of therapy to relieve stress 🙂
Speaking of gardener’s, this was something I found many year’s ago that was a gardener’s secret to keeping their vegetable beds weed free. Preen Weed Preventer is a pre-emergent granule that you sprinkle on soil or mulch, or can sweep into cracks along walks, driveways, or walls and it conditions the area so that new weeds do not grow. Again it works to prevent new weeds and does absolutely nothing to the live green weeds you have. I mention this because I did have a client many years ago that called up complaining that he had put down 4 buckets of the Preen in his beds and the weeds were still there. I asked if he had sprayed weed killer first and he said no I forgot about that part. Preen works by releasing a little bit of itself when activated by water or rain and works for about 8 to 12 weeks depending on the type you get. Then you reapply again to keep working for another 2-3 months.
And lastly, for those of you that live in areas surrounded by woods and thus must battle the yearly bugs like aphids, spider mites, tent caterpillars, and Japanese beetles (just to name a few) here is a product that I recommend for roses and other flowering shrubs to help them battle and recover from these pesky critters. Bayer All in One is spread around the base of the shrub and covered with mulch and works systematically for the next 8-10 weeks and assists the shrub to better protect itself from insects and disease.
If you have any questions you can also feel free to contact me directly and we can discuss your particular needs over the phone. If your landscape is out of control and needs some TLC give us a call and we can give you an estimate to get it back in check so you can maintain it again. Kim