Weeds in our shrub and flower beds….
It’s one of life’s givens, right? Wrong!
All you have to do is pull them up, right? Wrong!
We’d like to explain why not to pull that weed. And show how GreenGuard/Hertzler & George can help you control weeds by preventing most of them from ever coming up in the first place.
To find out more about how we can help keep weeds out of your flower and shrubs beds:
Call Ken Thompson (757) 229-9668 ext 202
Our pre-emergent weed control program for shrub and flower beds is a different kind of treatment that interupts with the germination cycle of weeds. Weeds never get a chance to emerge. Pre-emergent herbicides inhibit cell division in the young root system. This kills the weed seedling shortly after germination. We use a safe, broad-spectrum herbicide that is absorbed into the soil, creating a chemical barrier to the germinating weed. Eventually the herbicide is broken down naturally by microbes in the soil.
The timing of the application is very important. Pre-emergents only work if applied before the weed’s germination period. We treat your shrub beds in the early spring to capture spring germinating weeds and again in late summer to capture fall germinating weeds. Understanding the timing of the weed germination cycle means we only need to apply full treatments twice a year. We are acutely aware of any chemicals we add to the environment and our program is sensitive to the impact we have on the ecosystem.
Unfortunately, we can’t totally eliminate all of your weeds – this method targets weeds from germinating seeds, not from rhizomes or existing underground roots. Eventually the herbicide may wear off and stray weeds may pop up, but we stress the importance of spot-treating these with Roundup, not pulling them. Pulling only breaks the chemical barrier and your efforts will be rewarded by even more weeds in the same spot. In fact, some weeds actually benefit from being pulled. Plants with underground rhizomes will sprout new growth at the point of breakage – sometimes replacing one weed with six!
Bottom line:
Allowing Hertzler & George to treat your shrub and flower beds twice a year at the correct time, will result in fewer weeds over the long term. By disrupting the germination process of common weeds, we kill seedlings with a chemical barrier before they even emerge. Nor do weeds get the chance “go to seed” and multiply. And finally, spray, don’t pull those weeds. Remember, resisting the temptation to pull stray weeds builds character.