Weeds.  They are one of the most frustrating things for any homeowner who is trying to make their landscape look nice.  Those pesky little nuisances seem to continually pop up, no matter how often you pick them or how much you spray them.  It can feel like a never-ending battle.  While you may never completely rid your landscape of weeds altogether, there are many things you, or your landscaper, can do to help your yard stay relatively weed free and continue to give the best possible first impression of your home.

When it comes to eliminating weeds there are a few different approaches one can take.  There is the more natural, eco friendly approach, the chemical approach or the barrier approach.  First thing is first, you have to get rid of all of the existing weeds with some good old fashioned elbow grease.  Pull all visible existing weeds and, as much as possible, try to get the entire root.  The best time to pull weeds is after a big, soaking rain.  If it is a dry season consider watering the weeds before picking them so that the ground is moist and pliable.  It will allow you to pull the entire weed with much more ease. When preventing the growth of weeds, it is important that you do not disturb the soil. Sowing new plants or tilling the soil will only expose weed seeds to the sunlight they so desperately crave and then, like magic, they will start to grow.  Left undisturbed and blocked from sunlight weed seeds can stay dormant for many years.  This is where the weed barrier approach comes in.  Because weeds need sunlight to thrive if you put landscape fabric under the soil in which you are planting you will allow plants to grow while preventing light from getting to the weeds.  Additionally, another way to allow plants to grow while blocking sunlight is through the use of mulch.  Mulch comes in a variety of colors, keeps soil cool and moist and deprives weeds of sunlight therefore drastically reducing the number of weeds you will see gin your landscape.  The next option is to apply pre-emergent herbicides to weeds.  Check the label to ensure that it is safe for your existing landscape, pets and children and apply the herbicide to prevent new weed growth.  If you are looking for a chemical-free way to kill weeds you can boil water in a tea kettle and pour the boiling water directly onto weeds in the yard.  All of these options are great choices for eliminating weeds and preventing re-growth over time.