Summer’s warm weather doesn’t only bring a flurry of flowers and pollinators to your yard. It’s also prime time for weeds. From dandelions to spurge, invasive plants crop up this time of year in record numbers, and while some can be beneficial, others can be an eyesore—or worse.
If you feel like you’re waging a never-ending war on weeds in your yard or garden, we’ve got some good news for you. This time, the solution is to do less, not more. Don’t you love it when that happens?
How Watering Can Breed Weeds
Before you break out the herbicide, there is an easier and more eco-friendly way to deal with these unwanted plants—simply water your garden less.
This advice might seem surprising, especially in the summer when the weather can be hot and dry. But Briana Selstad Bosch, author of The Regenerative Gardener’s Handbook and owner of Colorado-based Blossom and Branch Farm, says that gardeners might be overdoing it when it comes to this everyday task.
“While it can be tempting to go and water the garden daily, it is actually better to water more deeply but less frequently,” she explains. “Watering daily creates perfect conditions for weed germination: warm, constantly moist soil.” Basically, you’re not only taking good care of your plants, you’re also taking care of the weeds.
How Often Should You Water to Prevent Weed Growth
Switch up your schedule and water less often, but for longer periods of time to allow the water to reach deep below the surface level. “Once plants are more established, deeper roots will be able to handle less frequent but deep waterings, which will be less likely to add to weed problems,” says Bosch. “Combined with a good mulch layer, this will help your plants establish deeper roots and help minimize weed germination.”
