Weed Control & Mulching

LAWNS

Apply crabgrass preventer in the spring, avoiding any newly seeded lawn areas until after the seed has germinated and is growing. Don’t apply broadleaf weed control until after the sixth mowing. If possible, apply granular weed control during morning hours while grass is damp with dew. Apply liquid weed control for broadleaf weeds as needed following manufacturer’s instructions.

PLANTING BEDS

(Shrubs, Groundcovers, Flowers)

Determine the best product for your situation. It’s best to apply pre-emergents in the early spring to prevent annual weeds from germinating. Apply a granular pre-emergent broadleaf weed control between early April and the first of May, or after a new planting installation when the soil and mulch are freshly disturbed. Spray small weeds using a liquid post-emergent weed control and following manufacturer’s instructions. For weeds above four inches tall, pull them by using a hand tool to dig up the root. Take care to dig up as much of the root as possible. Leaving roots behind may allow the weed to regenerate itself.

MULCH

Decorative mulches serve many purposes, including inhibiting weed growth, helping trees and plants retain moisture, insulating roots from extreme weather conditions and providing a uniform, clean appearance. Rice’s recommends top dressing all existing plant beds with approximately one inch of bark mulch on a yearly basis to maintain a consistent mulch depth. This should sufficiently prevent weeds from spreading when used in combination with a pre-emergent weed control. The mulch should taper in depth from two to three inches to just enough to cover the root zone below the tree or plant. Avoid allowing mulch to come into contact with trunks, stems and branches. As bark mulch decomposes, it adds a rich compost to your tree and plant beds.

Please note: Even this type of mulch can build up if not exposed to rainfall. If this occurs, use a flat rake to remove any areas of build-up. Avoid mulches that consist of artificially colored ground up wood and scrap pallets. These types of mulches do not decompose as quickly and build up thick layers in plant beds, suffocating root systems and depriving them of adequate moisture.

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