Categories
DIY

How to Control Weeds

​Use the governments easy to use pest plant search to find advice on how to control the specific type of weed on your property. You will also find information on how to prevent it from coming back and how to manage your garden.

Health and safety measures

Before you remove weeds:

  • Read the label on the herbicide or pesticide thoroughly, there are some natural remedies too to help control weeds and pest in your garden (some I like to use are Garlic, Neem, and Chili sprays)
  • Use suitable tools for the size and volume of weeds in your garden your first weed extermination will be the biggest once kept on top you can scale your tools back.
  • use appropriate clothing and footwear

Weed control in your neighbourhood

If your neighbours also have weed issues, it is more efficient to work together as a team and our team at West Auckland Lawn Mowing Services love weed control.

  • Target pest plants with the worst impact on the environment first, as these ones tend to be the most rapid growing and most intrusive weed to control.
  • Work from areas of low to high weed density.
  • Restrict the weeds to a specific area, then work on reducing that area.
  • If you’re working near a waterway, start at the top and work in the direction the water is flowing.

Replanting and mulching

If your weeding is leaving the ground too bare, replant the area or cover it with mulch as soon as possible. This prevents weeds from coming back.

If you have any problems or need that exact hand to get your weeds back under control Contact us at West Auckland Lawn Mowing Services.

Categories
DIY

Tips for keeping your Garden

When approaching the war on weeds the first thing we need to be able to do is find the time to do this somethings that you made need to consider are:

  • Get a schedule going, the most active times of the year for weeds which will require the most attention are spring and autumn, so put aside a weekend during both of these seasons to get on top of the intruding weeds.
  • You will need to then follow up with some further smaller weed control, once every couple of months through the summer and winter.
  • At a bare minimum cut the tops off flowers as this will stop the spread.
  • Where you strip away weeds, don’t leave the area bare, plant other vegetation as they will block out light and make it harder for the weeds to grow back, you can also add weed matting at your garden bed, organic mulch or lawn mowing clippings work perfect for your garden as they block the light for weeds to grow but also hold the moisture and are high in nutrients.
  • Be careful what you bring on to your property, mulch, straw, soil even borrowed machinery such as spades and wheelbarrows can all harbour weed seeds for species you may not have on your property.
  • Learn to enjoy it, as it is great physical exercise and can be very rewarding!

If you’re overwhelmed there is help to get you on top of things, to a place where you can at least take the power back. Contact us at West Auckland Lawn Mowing Services.

Categories
DIY

How To Spice Up Your Backyard

Is your garden in need of some loving?  Fortunately, getting your lawn putting its best self forward doesn’t really need a lot of time nor a big budget.

1. Tidying up:
Weeding and thin out your garden, prune back branches, deadhead any faded out of bloom flowers and remove any overgrown plants. The result will surprise you at how much better your garden will look after a little tidying up; moreover, how it can give you a fresh perspective on what to do next with your newly discovered space.

2. Mulch
Mulch is a very efficient way to feed your garden well also providing a nice dark, uniform background for your vegetation this will make the green foliage stand out much more. The best option for your soil and plants is a bio or composted mulch. Not only does it keep moisture in the soil, but it provides nutrients and improves the soil’s water-holding capacity.

Tip: Avoid mulch that is coloured as they will visually conflict your garden and draw too much attention with the rest of your garden. Furthermore, mulch should settle into the background not be a feature.

3. Adding new plants
Adding a few new plants to your garden is a great way to revitalise the space – and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. When choosing new plants, it’s important to pick a theme so the garden doesn’t look visually chaotic and disconnected.
Soil preparation is also key. Cultivate the soil before planting and make sure it’s fluffy. This will give your new plants a great start.

Also be sure to purchase quality plants from a reputable nursery. Check the plant stock looks healthy and that roots are not pot-bound. And from a visual perspective, remember that less is more.

4. Sharpen those lines 
Clean lines will instantly modernise your garden. Trim hedges flat using an electric trimmer or manual shears, rather than letting them undulate naturally.
Sharp lines will add a contemporary look to your lawn too, he says. .If you have an organically shaped grass area, use grass sods cut with a square spade to give the area a more rectangular shape.

5. Update your outdoor furniture
A dated outdoor furniture setting or one that’s in poor condition can detract from your garden’s good looks. And with many of us using our outdoor ‘rooms’ as additional living spaces for months at a time, a contemporary new sofa or dining table could be a practical investment.

You’ll find so many styles nowadays – take your pick from furniture in all-weather wicker, aluminium, recycled plastics and mixed timber and upholstery.

Look for quality, water-resistant pieces that will cope with the weather. Seek out simple and timeless shapes and neutral colours such as black or white that will go with most architectural styles.