Although mulching is an effective weed-control strategy, it might not always be the best one to join with using weedkillers. Because weedkillers come in various types depending on whether or not weeds have appeared, you must take into consideration the weed-growing cycle as well as what you intend to do with the garden space you’re treating.
Mighty Mulching
A simple process with large outcome, mulching adds a thick layer, usually a couple inches thick, of natural material like hay, grass, leaf litter or newspaper to the ground, frequently around desirable plants. Not only does it improve water retention, it discourages undesirable plants. In case you’ve got a repeated bud issue, mulching is one of the most effective ways to keep them from emerging. Mulching works on a simple principle: It stops light from reaching the plant to starve it or prevent it from growing.
Weedkiller Takedown
Often mulching weeds is sufficient to smother them and kill them through lack of light. But if you have particularly tough weeds, then you might want to apply a herbicide before putting down mulch. It is possible to do this in one of two ways: either by spot-treating smallish areas throughout the growing season or by applying an all-over weedkiller in a garden place. Should you place treat, you usually use a postemergent herbicide to kill existing weeds. If you would like to prevent weeds in a large place, then apply a pre-emergent herbicide that prevents them from sprouting in the first location.
Pre-Emergent Herbicide and Mulch
When utilizing pre-emergent herbicide, check package labels to get info on when to apply, how and about what plants. If you are familiar using weedkiller on edible gardens, for example, you must still be sure you are using a vegetable-safe option. When applying pre-emergent herbicide, turn the soil over, till it and wait until irrigation or rain compacts it. Then apply pre-emergent herbicide and till it into the top 1 to 3 inches of dirt. Since some pre-emergents require numerous applications, don’t mulch until the applications are complete.
Postemergent Herbicide and Mulch
Postemergent herbicides function on the rule that poisonous chemicals must come into contact with the leaves and stems of plants. As such, wait until weeds have sprouted and are aggressively growing before applying postemergent herbicides. Some herbicides function when weeds are rather small, less than 6 inches tall, while others, such as glyphosate, function best when the plant is going to flower. Because postemergents are most effective on plants that are otherwise not under stress, wait a week or even more before adding mulch. After the weeds are dead, it’s safe to apply mulch.