You might have looked at your lawn and wondered what would happen if you left these weeds in your yard alone? Sure, they may be unsightly to look at, but how much harm can they really cause? Chances are, you probably loathe manual labor and don’t really care what the neighbors think. Although a few stray weeds here and there are fine, leaving your entire yard prey to weeds is not a good idea. Learn more about what happens if you don’t pull your weeds. 

The Importance of Weed Control

Weed control is always an uphill battle – one that many gardeners are not willing to embark on. However, they tend to underestimate the damage that’s caused weeds, along with their ability to spread like wildfire. Here’s why it’s important to keep your yard weed free if you want a flourishing garden for years to come. 

Invasiveness and Spread 

The most obvious concern is that weeds will form dense, impenetrable thickets – a jungle of undesirable plants that leave no room for your garden crops. Weeds can compete with natives for nutrients and water, jeopardizing the entire area, and a small patch today can turn into a serious issue next year. 

Some weeds are worse than others. Watch out for invasives – weeds that have a thuggish tendency to proliferate, choking out native plants. If you’re lucky, your plants will wage war and shade out less aggressive weeds, especially with the addition of mulch. At any rate, it’s not a very efficient gardening set-up, and you’re better off uprooting these weeds. Common invasive weeds to watch out for include crabgrass, bindweed, and most thistles. 

Risk of Pests and Disease 

There’s a difference between cultivating a wildlife sanctuary with perennials and letting your weeds run amok. Failure to manage your weeds can lead to insect infestations, which can exacerbate existing problems with pest control. Weeds provide a habitat for pests, increasing the susceptibility of your plants to disease. 

Devalue Home Property 

This may seem like a minor issue, but one you might want to consider if you plan on selling your property. Just like people who let themselves go, letting your garden to weed can result in an unkempt, unfortunate appearance. Reports indicate a certain weed known as Japanese knotweed can devalue your property up to 15%. Japanese knotweed, an invasive species capable of forming dense stands of vegetation, is capable of infiltrating property foundations and underground structures. By contrast, a well-presented garden can increase property values by 20%. 

More Work Later 

Unfortunately, avoiding weeding now usually leads to more work long-term. Once weeds take hold, they become entrenched within the landscape. Their roots extend deep into the soil, they spread prolifically, and may require special tools or even herbicides to control. A little regular maintenance can save you hours of labor down the line. 

Ways to Get Rid of Weeds

If you don’t like weeding, it’s important to focus on deterring weeds from encroaching in the first place – there a few options you can look into, namely raised bed gardening. Due to the barrier created by its raised edges, weeds are deterred from entering the garden bed. Weeds that inadvertently manage to blow in are much easier to remove due to the uncompacted soil. Another way to prevent weeds is to add a layer of mulch. 

Another indispensable tool in the garden is the hori hori knife, which helps you dig deep into the compacted dirt and root out weed balls. It also serves a host of other functions, such as measuring and digging, making it the last garden knife you’ll ever need. Spend a few minutes digging weeds up each day, and you’ll notice a big difference. After undertaking an intensive weeding operation, spread mulch onto the ground to further suppress weeds. 

Don’t Hate on Dandelions

As children, dandelions are viewed as a source of whimsy. As adults, they are detested. However, a few dandelions on the lawn can be beneficial, adding beauty to an otherwise plain lawn. Far from being pernicious weeds, dandelions are a sign that your lawn is free of toxic chemicals. They’re also the first source of food for bees and butterflies at a time when little else is flowering, making them valuable for fostering biodiversity (some gardeners may even forage them for food). Even if you don’t eat them, they can still benefit your garden in the long run. 

Rage Gardening

There’s not a lot that can motivate gardeners to weed their garden, and weeding when you’re angry may seem counterproductive. However, rage gardening, which helps channel unchecked rage into something productive, can be a surprisingly effective way to calm down. There’s something cathartic about hacking at prickly weeds as you dislodge them from the earth. In the process, you’re also getting rid of unwanted plants and keeping your garden tidy.