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How to Prevent Weeds From Growing in Mulch
How to Prevent Weeds From Growing in Mulch. Spreading mulch over a growing area can be decorative as well as useful for preventing erosion and weeds among your plants. When you go to the effort of spreading mulch, take preventative measures to make sure weeds don't begin growing in the mulch. You have a few options for weed prevention to keep your...
Spreading mulch over a growing area can be decorative as well as useful for preventing erosion and weeds among your plants. When you go to the effort of spreading mulch, take preventative measures to make sure weeds don't begin growing in the mulch. You have a few options for weed prevention to keep your mulched areas looking neat and attractive throughout the growing season.
Things You'll Need
Landscape fabric
Metal pins
Newspapers
Garden fork
Rake
Preemergence herbicide
Spread a layer of landscape fabric over the entire soil area before laying down the mulch. Secure the corners and edges of the landscape fabric with special pins and then spread the mulch over the fabric in a 2 to 4-inch layer. The landscape fabric will act as a barrier between the soil and the mulch, preventing weed growth.
Unfold newspapers flat and stack them between six and eight layers thick. Spread these layers of newspapers over the soil before applying the mulch. Overlap the newspapers by about 2 inches to ensure complete coverage. Apply the mulch over the newspapers, applying between 2 and 4 inches of mulch evenly over the growing area.
Cultivate the soil with the garden fork and rake it smooth. Apply the preemergence herbicide over the soil in an even layer and then water the soil evenly to activate the herbicide. Apply the mulch over the herbicide in a 2 to 4-inch layer. The herbicide will effectively prevent weeds from germinating beneath the mulch.
Tips & Warnings
Read the label of the preemergence herbicide carefully to make sure it's safe to use in your specific growing area. For example, if you are mulching a vegetable garden, some preemergence herbicides may not be suitable for applying near fruits and vegetables.
