Weeds are more than just an eyesore in your flower beds - they're aggressive competitors that actively work to kill your desirable plants.
In the nutrient-poor, high-alkaline soil of Idaho Falls, every drop of water and every bit of nitrogen is precious. When a weed like field bindweed takes root, it isn't just "growing" - it is stealing the life support your landscaping depends on.
Beyond just being "sun stealers," weeds serve as a breeding ground for pests and diseases that can jump to your healthy shrubs and trees.
In Eastern Idaho, letting a few weeds slide can quickly turn into a property-wide infestation that stunts growth and ruins your curb appeal. Understanding the damage they do is the first step in protecting your landscape investment.
Here are 4 primary reasons weeds are bad for your plants in Idaho Falls, and how to stop them before they take over.
1. What Do Weeds Do to Plants? They Steal
Weeds rob nutrients from the soil that your plants need to thrive. That means your flowers and plants won’t grow to their full potential. Weeds grab the water your healthy plants need, too.
2. Weeds Are Home to Pests
Harmful garden pests use weeds as their sturdy little hangouts.
So when you allow weeds to grow in your garden, you’re providing a free bug Airbnb while they plot to munch on your unsuspecting plants.
3. Weeds Take Up Valuable Space
Why are weeds bad for plants? Weeds are great at crowding out healthy plants, hogging the space where they should be flourishing.
Beyond that, some weeds even secrete chemicals into the soil that interfere with the growth of surrounding plants.
4. Weeds Compete for Sunlight
What do weeds do to plants? If they grow big enough — and lots of weeds do — weeds shade your plants and steal the sunlight they need to thrive.
Sun stealers! Does it get much worse than that?!
How to Stop the Effects of Weeds on Plants
What do weeds do to plants? None of it is good.
What to do about it?
First, Battle Weeds with Pre-emergent Herbicides
Pre-emergent weed control is a crucial step in battling weeds.
Unlike other weed control products that kill weeds that have already sprouted, pre-emergent herbicides work ahead of time, preventing seeds of unwanted plants from germinating. They target the weed seeds before they have a chance to germinate.
When you want to stop weeds from affecting plants, timing is everything. It’s important to apply pre-emergent herbicides early enough; if you wait too long, they won’t be effective. Here in Idaho, we typically start applying pre-emergent around April 1.
Next Up: Post-emergent Weed Killer
A villain that would actually steal the sun is obviously a super bad dude. So, pre-emergent herbicides often aren’t enough to battle weeds. Some will still sneak through, laughing their evil villain laughs.
Once weeds have broken ground, use post-emergent herbicides to control them.
But weeds being weeds, they don’t make it easy. You need to know what you’re up against.
Weeds can be either grassy or broadleaf, with each kind requiring a specific treatment plan. Once you know what type of weed you have, you can take action with a weed killer that targets it.
Better yet, let the pros do it for you, and hire plant health care services in Idaho Falls, ID.
Professionals have access to weed control products you can’t use without a license. And they can custom-mix products or mix them at higher concentrations than the pre-mixed products homeowners can buy at the store.
Are Your Plants Ready for a New Best Friend?
Weeds are the worst.
Zap them before they sprout, and you can spend your free time doing all kinds of fun stuff instead of crouching in your plant beds and swearing.
Pre-emergent weed control for plant beds is available as an add-on service for our Idaho Falls customers who use our full-service lawn care program.
That gives you extra peace of mind — choose an Idaho Falls professional lawn care service that bundles your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan, plus know you’ll be spending less time toiling in your garden pulling pesky weeds.
Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started. Just fill out the form on this page, call us at (208) 656-9131 or read more about our services. Then you can kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard.
Image Source: dandelion weeds
