Learn the best tricks for Weed Control in Groundcover Areas of the garden with the below tips for a weed free landscape.
Groundcovers are an excellent way to transform plain spots into lush greenery, but they can easily become overrun with weeds and grasses. Since groundcovers form a dense mat of leaves, getting rid of these unwanted plants can be difficult. To eliminate grass from ground cover, aside from pulling weeds by hand, consider trying these specific tips for Weed Control in Groundcover Areas that are effective on weeds but safe for your ground cover.
How to Control Weed in Groundcover Areas
While you can prevent annual weeds with various methods, perennial weeds pose a bigger challenge. These persistent weeds will reappear each year unless their entire root system is eliminated. Removing deep-rooted plants like dandelions from dense ground cover can be tricky. A targeted, cautious application of a suitable herbicide is a potential solution. Do not use broad-spectrum herbicides; instead, opt for ones that are safe for ornamental plants and specifically target the weeds you want to control. Herbicides from the Dinitroaniline class are effective against many weeds.
Fine mulches such as peat moss or manure can block herbicides from reaching the soil. If possible, work herbicides into the soil to ensure proper penetration.
Issue of Grass In Groundcover
Grass growing in ground cover is a common issue, especially when groundcovers don’t establish quickly or have gaps where weed seeds can take root. In some cases, you can find a groundcover-safe weed killer that targets unwanted grass without damaging your groundcover.
To prevent this problem, consider installing weed barrier fabric before planting. If the ground cover is already established, manual weeding or using a suitable herbicide may be your only options.
Tricks to Prevent Weeds in Groundcover
Prevention is key to managing weeds. Weed barrier fabrics can help prevent weed seeds from sprouting, but they don’t stop stolons from creeping grasses that can push through the fabric. To ensure effectiveness, remove perennial weeds before laying the fabric. Applying a pre-emergence herbicide before seeds germinate can prevent many types of weeds. For grasses, use a product with sethoxydim, which is specifically designed to target and kill grass.
Apply a thick layer of mulch, as it also helps prevent weed growth. Mulch can come in various forms, such as rubber mulch, bark, rocks, newspaper, or other organic or inorganic materials. Although this can greatly reduce weed growth, some weeds and grasses may still emerge, which can usually be managed through hand-pulling. For newly installed groundcovers, ensure proper care to encourage rapid and dense growth, minimizing gaps where weeds could take hold.
Tips to Get Rid of Grass in Groundcover
Grasses that circulate via stolons can easily invade garden beds if not addressed quickly. To prevent this, you can install a barrier between the sod and the garden bed. Dig into the soil slightly deeper than the stolons’ natural level—they are usually near the surface. You can use a commercially available barrier or create your own. Alternatively, create a buffer zone of at least 6 inches (15 cm) between the grass and the garden bed. Filling this buffer with mulch can help control annual weeds.
If chemical control becomes essential, consider using a fusilade herbicide. These products are developed to kill grasses without damaging herbaceous plants. While your ground cover is establishing, it’s important to manually weed out or chemically treat grass before it takes over. Once your ground cover is fully grown and mature, it will naturally crowd out most grasses, reducing the need for further intervention.
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