CHARLOTTE – Fall planting time is just a few weeks away and if you’re planning to seed/reseed your lawn there are several options you may want to consider to eliminate those weeds prior to seeding.

One option, when done properly, provides excellent weed prevention on its own. Use peat moss, bark fines or potting soil at a depth of 2 to 4 inches over the top of your soil without mixing it into the existing soil. This will create a clean top layer to plant your seeds in and will create a seal from your weedy top layer that you may have. This option can be more expensive due to the cost of materials noted but it can have good results.

A second option would be to consider the use of an herbicide that will kill the weeds for you. This method can be very effective and can be done using less time and money but you must be very careful and follow the directions on the label. If you choose to use herbicide, spray the lawn with it at least 3 days after regular mowing and mow as short as possible. Then repeat the process using a thatcher blade on the mower removing any excess debris.

The third option is probably one of the safest and most effective methods of proactive weed control and it consists of using sheets of clear plastic. Cover the area you are working to kill and this will suffocate whatever is growing. This can be a little time-consuming but it will provide great weed control if done properly. The area should be covered completely for 6  to 8 weeks prior to seeding.

When it is time to buy your grass seed make sure you look for the “blue tag” that guarantees you are buying the lowest weed seed content available.