Summer is a great time to enjoy your garden, but dealing with weeds can be a real headache. Fast-growing plants like dandelions, daisies, and buttercups can quickly become a nuisance. While these flowers may not be unattractive, they can cause significant problems once they spread across your garden.
One major issue is that these weeds can easily take over your lawn. They can leach nutrients from the soil, leaving your grass looking dull and yellow. Buttercups, in particular, grow in tightly packed strands that can block out light and moisture, potentially smothering large patches of grass.
However, it’s not advisable to immediately resort to weed killers. These often contain harsh chemicals that can harm other plants in your garden, including your grass.
Fortunately, there is a simpler solution that doesn’t involve chemicals. According to gardening expert Fiona Jenkins from myjobquote.co.uk, the best method is to pull the weeds out by the root.
Fiona explains that weeds such as dandelions, daisies, and buttercups, along with moss, are commonly found on UK lawns. They can affect the greenness of your lawn because they are often not vibrant shades of green themselves. This can hinder grass growth and reduce its resources.
While pulling out weeds by hand can be time-consuming, it is usually the safest method. It avoids introducing harmful chemicals into your garden’s ecosystem. However, Fiona warns that it’s crucial to pull the weeds out from the root to prevent regrowth. Otherwise, your efforts may be in vain by next summer.
Dandelion, daisy, and buttercup roots can grow at least 12 inches deep, depending on your soil type. To make the process easier, wait until it has rained, as the soil will be looser and more malleable.
For unwanted growth like moss, pulling it out by hand may not be effective. Instead, using a rake is a better option. Many autumn lawn feeds also contain a built-in moss killer. Fiona advises that moss can be gently raked away around two weeks after application.
If that doesn’t work, a solution of water and vinegar can be used to eliminate moss. Simply mix them together in a spray bottle and apply to the affected area. The acidity of the vinegar should kill off the moss.
