Getting rid of weeds without killing native plants every year.

Here are some tips that I found for you:

Read the weed killer label. One popular weed killer label warns to avoid creating fine spray particles by using a high pressure-type nozzle sprayer, because small particles are more likely to drift.

• Spray herbicides when air is calm. If you must spray and the wind won’t let up, look for a gel-type herbicide, or, if possible, paint or daub the herbicide directly on the weed.
• Use caution when spraying weeds in beds with bulbs that have died back. Many bulbs, even when dormant, react to weed killer that seeps into the neck of the bulb.
• Rinse sprayers or watering cans used to apply herbicides after each use. Dump the rinse water on a non-planted area. Don’t dump rinsings on hard surfaces that will channel them into nearby planting areas or street catchment basins.
• Dedicate a sprayer or watering can for herbicide use to avoid accidentally dosing desirable plants with weed killer.
• Protect nearby plants from spray drift by covering them with plastic sheeting or cardboard. Remove the plastic after the herbicide dries.
• Avoid walking on large areas you’ve just treated or you risk carrying herbicide on your shoes into other areas, like your lawn.

Spray on cloudy days when possible. Warm, sunny conditions intensify spray drift damage symptoms.

I have always used several thicknesses of newspaper as opposed to weed barrier or plastic, you can get close to stems or trunks without harm, it decomposes in about 3-4 years

The way I read your remark, you put the plastic down, placed bark over it and soil in planting areas. If so, you should have put the plastic down over the whole area. Cut an "X" in the plastic for planting your plants, then when everything is planted the bark/mulch goes over that.

I would use both the newspaper wet it really well then place fabric weed stopper over it then cover with mulch or rocks water you can use ingarden. Remember that mulch will decay and might cause issues and also our flying friends pop and drop seeds as well. So it's looking like you may have to start over or change your design to do this job.

First you need to get rid of the weeds by pulling or poison. Then use a product called Preen, which is a derivation of corn that prevents seeds from germinating and growing into new weeds. Make sure to apply it very early in spring before anything starts to sprout. Once seeds germinate it's too late. Read the label - it will tell you exactly how and when to use it.

One note on Preen. It only inhibits the growth of weeds that come up from seeds. Any that arrive from roots spreading out will not be killed by preen. Examples would be grasses such as Bermuda, or weeds like dandelions.

Any weed that reseeds itself like crab grass or henbit and chickweed will be suppressed by Preen.

If you disturb the soil that you have treated with Preen, such as planting flowers, you will need to reapply the Preen.

I agree with Lindcurt. Preen will not prevent anything that spreads by the roots. It does do an excellent job on all other weeds. When I plant my vegetables I weed at that time and then put down the preen so it is undisturbed and it works really well for me that way. If I have to I reapply when I notice a lot of weeds starting to grow. The weeds that are at the edge of the garden will start spreading into the edges and I just pull them before they get in to far.

I found newspapers covered with cardboard and 3-4 inches of mulch works wonders. I have 2 acres and I am able to control the few weeds that get through. I buy a lot from Amazon so I have plenty of cardboard. I love the wildlife and my dog so I don't use pesticides. I do have a professional company handle the front lawn because I live in a HOA.

Here's a tutorial that might help https://chascrazycreations.com/home-made-weed-killers/

Hello, hope this helps you. You may have to add more barrier. You can spot treat the weeds carefully so you don't kill you plants by using a spray bottle on stream, or a tiny artist paint brush to apply the weed killer. With a little patience you can beat them.

Here's a post that might help - https://chascrazycreations.com/home-made-weed-killers/

I have never have gotten very good results with any version of vinegar, dish soap, salt combos. Boiling water kills to the root, Eventually new weeds will come.