Asked on Jun 28, 2014
Weeds in my front yard are winning. Pulling or digging them all up
by
Louise
+17
is going to be a chore and a half. A gardener neighbor said I can pull up the tall ones and then put down 2 to 3 layers of newspaper and then put mulch over it. She said that will kill the weeds that remain and prevent many from returning. Is that correct? AND, if I do that, should I dampen the newspaper to flatten things down before putting mulch on top? Or, should I just use Roundup and make sure I don't spray the plants I want to keep?
15 answers
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we have a lovely crop of clover--in the beds, most of our lawn--I guess it will just have to stay! I love clover. Lovely Hosa! I would just use the hoe around your plants.
BONNIE J
on Jun 28, 2014
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if your not going to plant anything else there, you could do as your neighbour said, i left a patch of my garden covered with old carpet and two years later its been pulled up and the area is weed free but solid as anything, hoping that with some good rain and a new spade it will be workable as i have some plants waiting to go in there
Tracy Gilmore
on Jun 28, 2014
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I would not use Roundup anywhere near Plants or Flowers.The wet newspaper sounds good, but I have also laid black plastic trash bags down and then added topsoil on top of it, then mulch.I tear a hole in the bag to allow plants to be planted and so far I have very few weeds.BUT, in a different area I have Wandering Jew and it is taking over,so I could also use some advice on that.It is choking out mature rose bushes and things I do not want to move.No way can you get every root out by pulling them!Any ideas?
Judy4justice
on Jun 28, 2014
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Landscape fabric and pins can be purchased at most big box home improvement stores. You can dig up your hostas, put the fabric down, replant the hosts or anything else that you want to plant by making small X's in the fabric. Cover with mulch and you will see a tremendous improvement. It is a bit of investment of time and money but I think you will be pleased with the results for years to come. Personally I could not live without the stuff. Creeping Jenny is a wonderful ground cover that helps block out weeds. I have used this in conjuction with the landscape fabric in a large area in front of my woods to great success. Good luck and have some fun!!!
Sharon Kavanagh
on Jun 28, 2014
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Round up will work but it's not a permanent solution. We've had excellent results with black landscaping cloth held down with landscaping staples. Sometimes on hilly areas it's easier to just let the weeds win if they grow close to the ground like ground cover. I have also had good results with your friend's method.
KathrynElizabeth Etier
on Jun 28, 2014
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Stay away from Round Up. Only use it to rid weeds in sidewalks and specific areas away from your flowers. I used newspapers/and landscape fabric combined and had very good results. Clear out as much of the weeds as you can, till the soil and lay down layers of newspapers. Place the landscape fabric over and then plant your flowers, cutting just enough room for the plant to grow. Follow with mulch.
Colleen
on Jun 28, 2014
- See 1 previous
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To really kill off weeds/all growth, I have found the best thing is to now it then cover with carpet. Leave it til next spring then pull up the carpet and replant or cut holes in the carpet, plant then mulch. Then you won't get weeds in the new beds. You can also use old blankets if they are tight knit.
Laura Hurst Calentine
on Jun 28, 2014
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I'd use 7 or 8 layers of news paper, wetting it helps. Plastic doesn't allow water through and will not break down. If you really want coverage you can even use wet cardboard and mulch over the top. Earthworms and other beneficials love wet cardboard
Elizabeth Hamaty
on Jun 28, 2014
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I don't like to ever use chemicals to add to our groundwater. I use cardboard before the mulch. This really works well where you want to expand or make a garden. because as Elizabeth said earthworms love cardboard, and the soil next year will ripe and ready to plant.
Darlinda
on Jun 29, 2014
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I favor Darlinda's approach of using cardboard. You will need to have a very thick layer of newspaper, not just two or three sheets.
Douglas Hunt
on Jun 29, 2014
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My lawn was OVER run with weeds. I bought some Ortho weed b gone from Walmart. Very inexpensive! Put it on the end of the hose and the next day the weeds were gone. I kid you not. Now, my lawn looks amazing!
Connie
on Jun 29, 2014
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YES, CONNIE--HARD TO PUT CARDBOARD ALL OVER THE LAWN--I MUST LOOK FOR THAT PRODUCT!!
BONNIE J
on Jun 29, 2014
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With all the rain we have had in Georgia this year...every other day or even daily, the weeds went crazy. I had TruGreen spray (expensive but I am not able to do it) and it worked beautifully...only now there is a new crop near my flowers where I did not spray. We just can't seem to get past them this spring/summer.
Jeanette S
on Jun 29, 2014
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I did! Just attached to the hose and turned the water on. Right on to the yard. Seriously, my lawn now looks amazing! Also, I DID see some weeds die that very day! And, it didn't touch the grass that was there! Try it! I was shocked!
Connie
on Jun 30, 2014
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Would it kill my hostas or other yard plants?
Louise
on Jun 30, 2014
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