Dealing with Weeds After Installation
After you’ve had yourartificial lawn installed, you may still notice weeds appearing on the surface. Most of the time, these are surface-rooted seeds and can be simply brushed away during general maintenance. Unfortunately, these types of seeds are often carried on the wind and it can be hard to prevent them getting into your garden.
Consider cutting back overhanging trees and bushes and keep these neatly trimmed so they don’t grow back to cover your artificial garden. This will offer some reduction in the number of
During general maintenance, including brushing your artificial grass, you’ll want to ensure that all leaf litter and debris is removed. This helps prevent composting which can quickly accelerate the growth and anchoring of airborne seeds. This process also actively removes potential problem seeds from the surface of your artificial lawn, preventing rooting and growth.
Bird waste is also comprised of a lot of seeds and quickly removing this (by washing down the affected area or scrubbing where necessary) will drastically reduce the chance of weed growth.
Alternatives to Weed Killer
If you find that there are still weeds growing through your artificial lawn despite regular maintenance, there are more natural alternatives that you can make at home to prevent weeds from growing back. These options may require a bit of work but can be easily used a couple of times a year or if you notice a particular problem patch.
Boiling Water –Boiling water can be used to kill greenery popping up where it shouldn’t be and ensures roots can’t grow back. However, be warned – boiling water does destroy ALL plant-life so be VERY careful if using near to an area you have flowers, trees or bushes growing. You should, of course, always take care when using scalding water and take the proper precautions, wearing protective clothing, gloves and glasses where necessary.
Home-Made Vinegarand Salt Mixture –Another fairly hard-core solution. There are plenty of home vinegar and salt solutions on the internet and they come recommended by home gardeners. However, this solution is another non-discriminate option and will kill the surface of any plant it comes into contact with. Additionally, using high amounts of salt and vinegar can be detrimental to your soil so consider very carefully if you want to cause long-term effects to your garden prior to use. This particular solution is best used on paved or concreted areas that have been covered with artificial grass.
Blocking Sunlight to the Area –Even in the shaded areas of your garden, weeds need to absorb sunlight to grow and removing this sunlight can cause weeds to die off and prevent growth reoccurring. Consider adding permanent edging tiles, borders or similar around the perimeter of your artificial lawn. Alternatively, if you’ve got a couple of dry days, cover the affected area with cardboard or newspaper and allow the weeds to shrivel and perish.
Withcareful installationand regular maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your artificial garden looking fresh and weed-free. If you are considering artificial grass for your garden, we hope this has helped you consider future preparations your garden may need to give it a good head-start.
