Skip the Spray With Natural Ways to Keep Your Yard Looking Great

If you’ve spent any time in the garden this spring, you’ve probably noticed that weeds seem to grow faster than just about everything else. One week your flower beds look tidy and under control, and the next they’re being overtaken by dandelions, crabgrass, and other unwelcome visitors.

With more homeowners looking to reduce their use of chemical herbicides around children, pets, pollinators, and vegetable gardens, many are searching for practical alternatives. The good news? You don’t need a shelf full of products to keep weeds under control. A few simple strategies can go a long way.

Start with mulch.

One of the most effective weed prevention tools is mulch. A two-to-three-inch layer of shredded bark, wood chips, straw, or leaf mulch helps block sunlight from reaching weed seeds, making it harder for them to germinate.

As an added bonus, organic mulch helps retain moisture during hot summer weather and gradually improves soil health as it breaks down. Just remember to keep mulch pulled back a few inches from plant stems, tree trunks, and your home’s siding.

Attack weeds while they’re young.

The easiest weed to remove is the one that’s barely had a chance to grow. Taking ten minutes each week to pull small weeds can save hours of work later in the season.

If you’re using a hoe or hand weeder, try working after a rainfall or watering session when the soil is soft. You’ll remove more of the root system and make the job much easier on yourself.

Put boiling water to work.

For weeds growing in cracks along driveways, sidewalks, and patios, boiling water can be surprisingly effective. A careful pour directly onto unwanted plants quickly damages the foliage and root system without introducing chemicals into the environment.

This method works best in hardscape areas where you’re not concerned about harming nearby plants. As always, use caution when handling boiling water.

Use vinegar strategically.

Household vinegar can help control young weeds by drying out their leaves, particularly on warm, sunny days. Some homeowners add a few drops of dish soap to help the mixture stick to plant surfaces.

Keep in mind that vinegar doesn’t discriminate. It can damage flowers, vegetables, and desirable plants just as easily as weeds, so careful application is important.

Let plants do some of the work.

Bare soil is an open invitation for weeds. Groundcovers such as creeping thyme, clover, sedum, or sweet woodruff can help fill empty spaces and crowd out unwanted growth naturally.

The less exposed soil you have, the fewer opportunities weeds have to establish themselves.

A little prevention goes a long way.

The secret to weed control is consistency. A few minutes of maintenance each week, combined with mulch, healthy plantings, and early intervention, can dramatically reduce the number of weeds you’ll face later in the season.

Your garden will look better, your workload will be lighter, and you’ll create a healthier outdoor environment for your family, pets, and the beneficial insects that help your landscape thrive.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Beware of ice dams this winter

One of the perils of living in New England is the cleanup of the winter weather that so often blows our way. In addition to the ice chipping and the snow shoveling, there is one more serious homeowner hazard that can create a headache both inside and outside, and cause major damage your home. The culprit I am talking about is ice dams.

Let me give you some background. An ice dam forms when heat from inside your home causes snow on your roof to melt and the water to trickle down into the gutters. This sounds like what is supposed to happen, except that when the water slides down, it can often refreeze before it drains because the temperature changes from the top of the roof to the bottom. As the water moves it refreezes, causing a blockage in the gutters and drains. Since the water has nowhere it go, it builds up, and looks for other places to go, such as under your shingles. The snow continues to melt, refreeze and accumulate, growing aggressively until you have what we call an ice dam, or a large mass of frozen water that grows from your gutters and the base of your roof.

So why does the temperature change? Well that’s easy. We all know that heat rises, and when your house isn’t properly insulated or ventilated, the heat from the living areas of your home will rise into the attic, hitting the highest temperatures in the very peak of the roof. So it’s no surprise that snow starts to melt at that very point, where the temperature can easily rise to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or melting point. As the water makes its way down the roof, the temperature decreases; enabling the water to refreeze by the time it finds its way to your gutters. As that water builds up, it begins to form an ice dam. 

Have you ever looked around the neighborhood and seen a house with big beautiful icicles hanging from the roof? Those icicles aren’t just a pretty bi-product of winter weather; they are a sure fire sign that an ice damn is forming.

Ice dams can be a real problem, especially in older homes that aren’t properly insulated and ventilated. As the water builds up, it can leak into the house and cause damage to the walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. Additionally, an ice dam that is melting can channel water down into the foundation, which can cause leaks and mold formation in the basement.

Worried about ice dams damaging your house? Next week, we’ll talk about the ways to temporarily fix them, and what you can do to ensure they don’t pop up again next winter.

Leaf relief for autumn

In the next few weeks the leaves will begin to fall, which means plenty of yard work for homeowners. But what's even more important than keeping your lawn clean is ensuring your gutters are free from debris coming into the winter.

Gutters are an important part of the home because they allow water to drain off the roof and away from the foundation. When the autumn comes, gutters often get filled with tree leaves, which can be very problematic in the winter when we get a lot of snow. If your gutters are clogged, the water has nowhere to go, which means it might either seep into the roof or pour down into the foundation, causing expensive and preventable damage. Luckily, I have two simple solutions to ensure your gutters are ready for winter, and the best part is that they are both inexpensive and easy to do.

The first is to get gutter shields installed on your property. Shields can be made of metal mesh or plastic and can either work as a filter or a complete gutter cover. The type of guard you choose will depend on your home and needs, and installation can be done by a professional contractor in one day. For those of you who are handy around the house, you can even install them yourself -  provided you have safety equipment and feel comfortable on a roof. It’s important to note that if your gutters are very old or have been not been maintained properly, you may not be able to cover them.

If gutter shields aren’t an option for you, you can also get your gutters cleaned, which should be done at least four times per year.  Many homeowners tackle this job themselves, but it can be both difficult and dangerous. I suggest hiring a professional, who can not only clean the gutters but can also do a quick inspection to ensure your gutters are in good working order and ready for the winter. Whenever I do a gutter cleaning, I always look for leakage warning signs and report them back to the homeowner so they are aware of any potential problems before they happen.

Gutters that are in proper working condition will save your home and your foundation from potentially expensive and preventable repair. The best part is that solutions are quick, easy, and can give your home the protection it needs to ensure you don't have any unnecessary problems this coming winter.