Please note, whenever you read this, it is applicable. Pre-emergent can be used every 3 months or so all year long. Now that warm weather is here to stay we are getting our yards primed for summer fun. Using pre-emergent will ensure that your yard stays as free of weeds as it was when you first planted.

-Adria on 5/14/09

Now that we are on the downhill slide to spring, I have a few tips to share to prevent extra work later this season when we could be enjoying our yards. As you clean up the yard from winter, make sure to use pre-emergent to prevent new weeds from coming up. Anytime you expose fresh soil weeds will grow, especially now since it is warm enough for weeds like Annual Rye to germinate. I like to use Greenlight’s Amaze. It is an easy to use granule that you sprinkle out once you are done and then sprinkle with water, or rain, to activate. Done right, this will prevent seeds from germinating for 3 to 4 months. Just make sure to reapply if your turn the soil over and when the control period is up.

If you prefer to go organic, you can use Concern. It consists of corn gluten that tests have shown, prevent germination. Now I have learned that this must be used regularly and will take a few applications before it becomes the most effective. Another organic alternative is mulch. Applied thick enough, usually at least 2 inches thick, mulch will prevent weeds from germinating. Personally, I like the MulchBlock that we carry at The Greenery. I used it last summer around my veggies. It seemed to stop the local cats from using that area for a toilet, it didn’t wash away, stopped the weeds, held in soil moisture and it has barely faded! MulchBlock is chopped coconut hulls so it is very coarse. Make sure to wear gloves when handling it, because it tore up my hands. Also, it has to be soaked thoroughly before you can spread it. I am very satisfied with it and plan on using more of it.

So now that I have put in my two cents, do you have any suggestions or favorites you use to prevent work in your yard? It doesn’t have to be about weeds. Lets share ideas!

Adria