A weed by any other name…
Weeds are plants that grow where they are not wanted. With the exception of certain plants such as poison ivy, ragweed and invasive exotic plants like Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed, these plants are not “bad” in themselves.
In fact, clover, once considered a weed, should be incorporated into the lawn. Thanks to its association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, it helps enrich the soil. It is also more resistant to drought and is less affected by insect pests.
A number of weeds are actually edible (dandelions, strawberries, clovers, common purslane, etc.).
Think prevention first
The best way to keep weeds out is to ensure that your lawn and other plants benefit from the right growing conditions and proper care.
In the lawn
Thus, to obtain a healthy lawn with grass that can compete effectively with weeds, just follow these golden rules:
- Mow the lawn to 7.5 cm (3 inches) in the summer, and leave the grass clippings where they fall, watering deeply as needed
- Aerate compacted soil
- Feed the lawn with compost
- Apply lime if necessary
- Fertilize in moderation with 100% natural products
- Reseed bare patches.
In the borders and vegetable garden
Organic mulch (chopped dead leaves, ramial chipped wood, buckwheat hulls, etc.) effectively prevent undesirable plants in the flower beds and vegetable garden and keep the soil moist.
Mulch is not necessary in landscapes where plants’ foliage completely covers the ground, as the shadow cast by the organic canopy will prevent the germination of most weed seeds. In this case, auto-composting by letting dead leaves, twigs and wilted flowers decompose into the soil is relevant. They will form a feeder layer for the soil’s plants and micro-organisms.
If your site isn’t suited to growing a lawn or certain other plants, choose plants that are better adapted to your conditions (ground covers, shade plants, etc.) or use inert materials (paver, gravel, etc.) in some parts of your garden.