A Guide to Weed Prevention in Northeast Tennessee
As spring approaches, gardeners and homeowners in Northeast Tennessee start preparing their lawns and gardens for a season of vibrant growth. However, unwanted weeds can quickly take over, stealing nutrients from your plants and preventing your yard from being lush and full. The best way to deal with weeds? Stop them before they start!
Weed prevention is all about timing, technique, and using the right products. By taking a proactive approach now, you can enjoy a healthier, more beautiful lawn and garden all season long.
Why Weeds Thrive in Northeast Tennessee
Our region’s mild winters, abundant rainfall, and long growing seasons create ideal conditions for weeds to take hold. Common culprits like crabgrass, chickweed, and dandelions spread rapidly, choking out flowers, vegetables, and grass. Without proper prevention, these weeds can become a year-round nuisance.
Step 1: Start with Pre-Emergent Herbicides
One of the most effective ways to stop weeds before they emerge is by applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring. These treatments prevent weed seeds from germinating, stopping the problem before it starts.
Key tips for pre-emergent application:
✔ Apply when soil temperatures reach 55°F and stay that way for up to 10 days (usually late February to early March in Northeast Tennessee when outside air temperatures are around 50°F).
✔ Use a spreader for even coverage across your lawn.
✔ Water the treatment lightly to activate the herbicide.
Evergreen’s Suggestion: Check your soil temperature
Why soil temperature? Because warmth helps activate the product and encourages the processes that lead to a healthier lawn.
When soil temperature reaches 55°F and you apply Fertilome Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food, the product creates a barrier within the soil horizon that stops any future root cell division (inhibits mitosis in root cells) from happening.
Rainfall also plays a beneficial role, helping to further “wet in” the product and carry it down into the soil. Rainfall is required due the nature of not only breaking down the herbicide particles but also pushing the herbicide down into the soil where the root cell division will be happening.”
Step 2: Maintain Healthy Soil & Mulch
Healthy lawns and gardens are the best defense against weeds. Dense grass and well-mulched garden beds leave little room for weeds to grow.
Lawn Care Tips:
✔ Aerate and fertilize your lawn to encourage deep, thick root growth.
✔ Mow at the right height (cutting too short weakens grass and allows weeds to take hold, we suggest keeping your lawn around 3 inches in height).
Garden Bed Weed Prevention:
✔ Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to suppress weed growth and retain moisture.
✔ Make sure you maintain a consistent mulch level in all seasons for best results.
Evergreen’s Suggestion: Boosting Your Landscape Beds with Mulch & Soil Amendments
To create thriving landscape beds, we recommend considering both the right mulch and soil amendments. These elements work together to enhance soil health, suppress weeds, retain moisture, and beautify your outdoor spaces. Here are our top suggestions:
For Soil Enhancement: Natural Guard Humic Acid
- Annual Application for Soil Health: For a simple yet effective way to improve your soil’s overall health, consider applying Natural Guard Humic Acid annually in your landscape beds. Humic acid is a fantastic soil amendment that works wonders in strengthening soil tilth (the physical structure of the soil) and boosting beneficial microorganism activity. Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy plants!
Top Mulch Recommendation: Double Ground Non-Dyed Shredded Mulch
- The Gold Standard for Landscape Beds: When it comes to mulch for your landscape beds, our top recommendation is Double Ground Non-Dyed Shredded Mulch (available by the cubic yard). Here’s why we love it:
- Natural Soil Builder: This type of mulch is excellent because it naturally degrades within a year. As it breaks down, it enriches your soil with valuable organic matter and, importantly, feeds those beneficial soil microbes, creating a healthy ecosystem in your garden beds.
- Natural and Untreated: Being non-dyed, it’s a natural product free from artificial colorants, perfect for gardeners who prefer a more natural approach.
Exploring Other Mulch Options (Bagged)
For those looking for bagged mulch options, we offer a variety of choices in convenient 3 cubic foot bags. Each type offers unique benefits and aesthetic qualities. Consider these options to suit your specific needs and preferences:
- Shredded Pine Bark Mulch: Known for its slightly acidic nature, pine bark mulch is beneficial for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. It also provides good moisture retention and weed suppression.
- Mini Nuggets & Large Nuggets: These pine bark nuggets offer a coarser texture and decompose more slowly than shredded pine bark. They are excellent for longer-lasting weed control and visual appeal, especially in pathways or larger landscape areas. The size difference (mini vs. large) is primarily aesthetic.
- Cypress Mulch: Cypress mulch is known for its resistance to decay and insects. It has a stringy texture and a light color, which can brighten up landscape beds. It’s a good choice for areas prone to moisture, but sourcing practices can vary, so consider sustainable options if environmental impact is a concern.
- Hardwood Mulch: A general-purpose mulch made from a blend of hardwoods. It provides good soil coverage, weed suppression, and moisture retention. It breaks down at a moderate rate, enriching the soil over time.
- Dyed Hardwood Mulch (Black, Brown, & Red): This is hardwood mulch that has been dyed for a more uniform and long-lasting color. Available in black, brown, and red, dyed mulches can add a dramatic visual element to your landscape. While offering the same functional benefits as undyed hardwood mulch, some gardeners have preferences regarding the use of dyes in their gardens.
Choosing the Right Mulch for You:
The best mulch for your landscape beds ultimately depends on your specific plants, soil type, aesthetic preferences, and budget. Consider the benefits of each type and don’t hesitate to ask our knowledgeable staff at Evergreen of Johnson City for personalized recommendations!
Step 3: Spot-Treat Weeds Before They Spread
Even with the best prevention, some weeds may still appear. Be proactive by spot-treating problem areas before weeds begin to take control of your yard.
✔ Use a post-emergent herbicide for stubborn weeds in lawns.
✔ Hand-pull deep-rooted weeds like dandelions before they multiply.
✔ For garden beds, try natural options like vinegar-based sprays or boiling water.
Evergreen’s Suggestion: Taking Control of Weeds with Effective Solutions
Weeds – every gardener’s nemesis! At Evergreen of Johnson City, we understand the frustration of unwanted plants invading your lawn and landscape beds. That’s why we offer a range of effective weed control solutions to help you regain control and maintain a beautiful, weed-free environment. Here’s a guide to some of the recommended weed control products we recommend:
Understanding Weed Control: Selective vs. Non-Selective Herbicides
Before we dive into specific product recommendations, it’s helpful to understand the difference between selective and non-selective herbicides:
- Selective Herbicides: These are designed to target specific types of weeds without harming your desired plants (like your lawn grass). They are ideal for controlling weeds within your lawn or garden beds while preserving the plants you want to keep.
- Non-Selective Herbicides: These herbicides are powerful tools that will kill any plant they come into contact with. They are best used for clearing out vegetation in areas where you want to eliminate all plant life, such as cracks in driveways, along fences, or for complete vegetation removal before starting a new garden bed. Use non-selective herbicides with caution and precision to avoid harming desirable plants nearby.
Weed Control Products:
Here are some of the effective weed control products we carry, categorized to help you find the right solution for your needs:
Selective Herbicides (Targeting Weeds While Protecting Desired Plants):
- Fertilome Weed Free Zone: As the name suggests, Fertilome Weed Free Zone is a selective herbicide designed to create a “weed-free zone” in your lawn. It’s effective against a broad spectrum of common lawn weeds, while being formulated to be safe for most lawn grasses when used as directed.
- Fertilome Nutsedge Control: Specifically formulated for the challenging weed nutsedge, this selective herbicide targets nutsedge without harming your desired lawn grasses. Nutsedge can be difficult to control, making a specialized product like this a valuable tool.
- Fertilome Weed Out Pro: Fertilome Weed Out Pro is another selective herbicide aimed at controlling a variety of broadleaf weeds in lawns. It’s designed to be a professional-grade solution for effective weed control in established turfgrass.
- Hi-Yield Triclopyr Ester: Hi-Yield Triclopyr Ester is a selective herbicide known for its effectiveness against woody plants, vines, and broadleaf weeds. It can be useful for controlling tougher, more persistent weeds and brush in lawns and around landscapes.
- Fertilome Green Grass & Weed Killer: This selective herbicide emphasizes both weed control and lawn health. Fertilome Green Grass & Weed Killer aims to eliminate weeds while also providing nutrients to promote a greener, healthier lawn.
Non-Selective Herbicides (Killing All Vegetation – Use with Caution):
- Hi-Yield KillzAll 365: Hi-Yield KillzAll 365 is a non-selective herbicide designed for total vegetation control. The “365” often implies extended control, meaning it can prevent regrowth for a significant period. Use this where you want to eliminate all plant life for an extended time.
- Hi-Yield Decimate: Hi-Yield Decimate is another non-selective herbicide offering broad-spectrum control of vegetation. It’s a powerful tool for clearing areas of unwanted plants quickly and effectively. Like all non-selective herbicides, use with care to avoid drift onto desirable plants.
Choosing the Right Weed Control for Your Situation:
Selecting the appropriate weed control product depends on the type of weeds you’re dealing with, where they are located (lawn vs. landscape bed vs. driveway cracks), and whether you need a selective or non-selective solution. Always read and carefully follow the product label instructions for application rates, safety precautions, and specific weed targets.
For personalized advice and to find the best weed control solution for your lawn and garden, we encourage you to visit us at Evergreen of Johnson City and speak with our knowledgeable staff!
Get Ahead of Weeds with the Right Products
At Evergreen of Johnson City, we carry everything you need to keep weeds under control this season. Whether you’re looking for pre-emergent herbicides, mulch, or expert advice, we’re here to help.
Stop by our store or visit us online to get started on your weed-free lawn and garden today!
Click here to contact us and plan your visit today.
