With sunnier days on the horizon, Britons are looking forward to spending more time in the garden - especially as the Easter Bank Holiday weekend fast approaches.
However, gardeners across the UK are facing a threat that could spoil outdoor plans: weeds. As defined by the Royal Horticultural Society, weeds are "plants that grow where they are not wanted".
These unwelcome garden invaders are more than just an eyesore; if left unchecked throughout spring, weed pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms.
They can also negatively impact the health of your garden, as they battle against healthy grasses for air, water and nutrients.
Chris Cooper, a lawn expert from garden machinery manufacturer Hayter, advised gardeners to remove weeds - or "silent garden killers" - in spring.
The expert explained: "Weeds first begin to rear their heads in spring, before they have fully matured. This makes spring the ideal time to start seeding, mowing and fertilising - in that order.
"Regular, well-practised lawn care will make it very hard for weeds to make strong roots in your lawn.
"This also makes spring a great time to remove lawn weeds physically, as removing weeds by weaker roots makes for light pulling. The same goes for weeds in soil beds, borders and more."
The gardening guru outlined three effective methods for removing weeds with weak roots in the coming weeks.
Hand-pulling
Hand-pulling is one of the most effective methods for removing spring weeds, according to Chris.
"Dig out these perennial weeds with your fingers, being careful to dig the full weed including the bulb," he advised.
For lawn weeds, precision is crucial to avoid damaging the surrounding grass.
If roots are longer than expected, Chris recommended using a weed fork to "pull long roots out of grass or soil with precision".
Hoeing
Hoeing is another excellent technique for tackling weak lawn weeds in the springtime.
Chris explained that this simple task "is very effective at killing weed seedlings yet to germinate, perfect for early to mid-spring".
For best results, choose a dry day for hoeing. This prevents soil damage and ensures seedlings dry out on the surface.
Those with larger gardens should take regular breaks, as hoeing can become physically demanding.
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Using garden-safe weedkiller
Weed killer should be considered a last resort, according to the gardening expert.
"Some weed killers can be quite damaging to your lawn, soil and plants, so it's best avoided if possible," he warned..
If necessary, look for products labeled "lawn-safe" or "garden-safe" on the bottle.
Cooper cautioned that general weed killers - even natural ones like vinegar - are non-selective and won't distinguish between weeds and desirable plants.
Find Out More...
However, gardeners across the UK are facing a threat that could spoil outdoor plans: weeds. As defined by the Royal Horticultural Society, weeds are "plants that grow where they are not wanted".
These unwelcome garden invaders are more than just an eyesore; if left unchecked throughout spring, weed pollen can trigger hay fever symptoms.
They can also negatively impact the health of your garden, as they battle against healthy grasses for air, water and nutrients.
Chris Cooper, a lawn expert from garden machinery manufacturer Hayter, advised gardeners to remove weeds - or "silent garden killers" - in spring.
The expert explained: "Weeds first begin to rear their heads in spring, before they have fully matured. This makes spring the ideal time to start seeding, mowing and fertilising - in that order.
"Regular, well-practised lawn care will make it very hard for weeds to make strong roots in your lawn.
"This also makes spring a great time to remove lawn weeds physically, as removing weeds by weaker roots makes for light pulling. The same goes for weeds in soil beds, borders and more."
The gardening guru outlined three effective methods for removing weeds with weak roots in the coming weeks.
Hand-pulling
Hand-pulling is one of the most effective methods for removing spring weeds, according to Chris.
"Dig out these perennial weeds with your fingers, being careful to dig the full weed including the bulb," he advised.
For lawn weeds, precision is crucial to avoid damaging the surrounding grass.
If roots are longer than expected, Chris recommended using a weed fork to "pull long roots out of grass or soil with precision".
Hoeing
Hoeing is another excellent technique for tackling weak lawn weeds in the springtime.
Chris explained that this simple task "is very effective at killing weed seedlings yet to germinate, perfect for early to mid-spring".
For best results, choose a dry day for hoeing. This prevents soil damage and ensures seedlings dry out on the surface.
Those with larger gardens should take regular breaks, as hoeing can become physically demanding.
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Using garden-safe weedkiller
Weed killer should be considered a last resort, according to the gardening expert.
"Some weed killers can be quite damaging to your lawn, soil and plants, so it's best avoided if possible," he warned..
If necessary, look for products labeled "lawn-safe" or "garden-safe" on the bottle.
Cooper cautioned that general weed killers - even natural ones like vinegar - are non-selective and won't distinguish between weeds and desirable plants.
Find Out More...