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Lawn care is a labor intensive process. One of the stages of care is the elimination of weeds that violate the integrity of the plant cover. Therefore, when choosing a landscaping method, you need to know which lawn grass displaces weeds.
Choosing grass for your lawn
When choosing lawn grass that can cope with weeds, the following characteristics are taken into account:
- short stature, which simplifies the care of plants;
- resistance to trampling;
- ability to grow during drought;
- planting density.
Lawn grass is not able to completely eliminate weeds on the site. It does not have herbicidal properties that have a detrimental effect on other plants.
When the rhizomes of plants grow, they will clog the surface of the soil. As a result, a dense interweaving of the roots and stems of plants is formed. Due to this, weed grass cannot break through the resulting layer.
If weed seeds are carried by the wind, they will not be able to reach the earth layer. Therefore, weeds do not germinate on properly selected lawn grass.
The main varieties
The following lawn plants have the ability to displace weeds:
- meadow bluegrass. An early plant that begins to grow immediately after the snow melts. Bluegrass quickly forms a lawn, is resistant to trampling, spring frosts, winter frosts and wind. There are several varieties of bluegrass that remain viable for 10 years. Its universal varieties are Compact, Conia and Dolphin.
- Polevica. Short lawn grass that displaces weeds and grows quickly to form a dense canopy. The plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, however, prefers sunny areas. In the first year after planting, the bent grass is thoroughly watered. It is recommended to mow the bent grass lawn 4 times per season.
- red fescue. This plant can grow even on poor soils and in arid climates. Fescue can be planted in the shade. Plants tolerate winter frosts well. Due to the strong root system, the plant forms a strong turf. The depth of penetration of the roots is up to 20 cm, which eliminates the germination of weeds.
- Ryegrass. This perennial herbaceous plant forms a lawn in warm climates. If you plant ryegrass, the plot will remain green until November. The plant is resistant to trampling and is not susceptible to diseases. Its disadvantage is the high probability of freezing in winter. The life cycle of ryegrass is 7 years.
- microclover. A new variety of clover, which is distinguished by small leaves. Plant height does not exceed 5 cm. After planting, microclover does not require special care, it is enough to water it in moderation. Plants tolerate any impact and climatic conditions. Microclover is considered an invasive plant that fills in empty areas and clogs weeds.
Ready mixes
To create a lawn, you can use ready-made seed mixtures, selected as necessary to get rid of weeds:
- Canada-green. A seed mix that can be planted in the northern region. This includes plants that can withstand low temperatures and displace weeds (ryegrass and several types of fescue) from the site. Canada-Green turf is resistant to aggressive influences. Such lawns often grew in urban settings. The growth of grasses begins 10 days after planting.
- Ornamental. The mixture allows you to create a decorative plant cover, suitable for sunny and shady areas. Such a lawn is characterized by unpretentiousness to climatic changes and soil composition. The mixture rises quickly and fills the allotted area. The main components of Ornamental are fescue, ryegrass and bluegrass.
- sunshine. Lawn grass that kills weeds, designed specifically for dry regions. The plants are selected to ensure that the lawn is resistant to wear, cold and drought. Under favorable conditions, the first shoots appear a week after planting.
- gnome. As the name suggests, this is a low lawn composed of bluegrass, meadow grass, and red fescue. Plants are suitable for planting in temperate and cold climates. The lawn is characterized by slow germination, resistance to trampling and winter frosts.
- Lilliput – Another type of undersized lawn. Due to the slow growth of grasses, the lawn begins to be mowed only in the second year. If you plant such a mixture, then the plants will need watering twice a week and treatment for diseases.
- Cottage. When germinating, such a lawn forms a dense carpet that is resistant to stress and destroys weeds. Plants have high winter hardiness and prevent the germination of weeds. Due to the slow growth, the coating requires minimal maintenance.
- Robustica. Such a mixture is designed for a hardy coating, unpretentious to external conditions. The plants that make up the mixture are resistant to cold weather, sprout quickly and are able to grow in the shade. Shoots appear a week after planting grasses.
- Country house. Lawn grass that displaces weeds, selected for landscaping summer cottages, children’s and playgrounds. The coating withstands prolonged drought, winter frosts and spring cooling. Germination of plants is up to 2 weeks.
Site Preparation
Before planting grass for the lawn, you need to prepare the site. Marking is done on it, after which weed roots are eliminated. The procedure is repeated several times every two weeks. Then the ground must be leveled.
To prevent the spread of weeds, treatment with herbicides – chemicals aimed at destroying certain plants – will help. It is best to use herbicides in the spring on young shoots.
Lawn treatment is carried out with the following types of herbicides:
- continuous action. Such drugs destroy all types of vegetation on the lawn. They are applied to the leaves of plants, which gradually dry out. The action of such substances extends both to the ground part and to the root system. The most effective continuous herbicides are Agrokiller and Tornado.
- Selective influence. These substances affect only certain types of grasses and do not harm horticultural crops and lawn grass.
Soil Preparation
The next step is preparing the soil for the lawn:
- clay soil is fertilized with biohumus or humus;
- lime is used to reduce the acidity of the soil;
- in the spring, nitrogen fertilizer is applied, which allows the plants to increase the green mass;
- in autumn, compositions based on phosphorus and potassium are used;
- after fertilization, the soil is loosened, its surface is leveled and watered;
- the soil is carefully compacted with a heavy roller.
After carrying out the necessary procedures, the soil under the lawn should be left for a week. During this period, soil shrinkage will occur. Growing weeds must be removed.
Planting a lawn
Lawn grass is planted from May to September. The best time for planting is spring or autumn. If work is carried out in the autumn, then shoots should appear before the first cold snap. This process takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Lawn grass can be planted by spreading seeds. Up to 40 g of seeds are required per square meter of land. A special seeder will help ensure uniform sowing.
After planting, the soil is leveled with a rake and a peat mixture up to 1,5 cm thick is poured in. The final step is to use a roller to better press the seeds.
Lawn care
Proper lawn care can help prevent weeds from sprouting:
- Regular trimming will loosen weeds and prevent them from blooming. The first procedure is carried out one and a half months after the germination of the grass, when its height reaches 8 cm. Cutting the vegetation cover every 2 weeks will increase its density and will not allow weeds to germinate.
- Perennial weeds clogging the lawn are removed by hand along with the root system. Processing is best done after rain or watering, when the soil becomes loose and moist.
- For watering, a fine-dispersed sprayer is used. Moisture must penetrate to a depth of 15 cm or more.
Conclusion
Which lawn to choose for landscaping the site depends on the climatic conditions of the region. Most of the plants used for planting withstand cold snaps, winter frosts, and are resistant to external influences. When growing, these types of grasses fill the free space and do not allow weeds to grow. Proper lawn care can help prevent the spread of weeds.
