If you own a home with a backyard or garden, you’ve probably had to deal with neighbors’ weeds creeping into your yard.
If you’re lucky, this infiltration may be limited to just a few plants. But if not, the invasion could be widespread on your well-maintained lawn.
Having your neighbor’s weeds spread to your lawn will make maintenance difficult, yet it’s important.
But that should not worry you too much, as there are ways to stop a neighbor’s weeds from coming through the fence.
Spray a herbicide on the weeds
Herbicides are chemicals that destroy grass and weed seeds or plants. They are usually effective, but you need to observe caution while using them since some of them are not safe for pets and humans.
Glyphosate is an example of a common herbicide. It’s a broad-spectrum herbicide that kills most weeds. Apply the pesticide in the spring since weed seeds spread fast over the winter.
Continue to use the herbicide as needed to keep the weeds under control. Wait for the recommended period for glyphosate to disintegrate if you wish to plant food crops after spraying.
Wear protective gloves, gear, and a mask when spraying herbicides. Also, consider relocating or planting your fence plants far from the fence to minimize damage by herbicides whenever your neighbor’s weeds appear.
Apply mulch
Mulch helps control weeds that grow under your fence. After manual weeding, placing a thick layer of mulch along the fence will prevent weeds from reseeding or sprouting.
Mulching covers and gradually kills shallow-rooted weeds without the need for manual weeding. However, the mulch must be thick for it to be effective.
To use mulch as a weedkiller, dig a ditch that is about 6-8 inches wide and 4 to 5 inches deep. Along the ditch, drape a thick landscaping cloth or weed barrier.
Mulch the ditch to make it look more appealing and prevent weeds from growing through it to your yard.
Add a layer of bricks under your fence
Placing a brick barrier under your fence can also help to keep off your neighbors’ weeds that are out of control.
Start by digging a trench under your fence and filling it with bricks. The excavation should be 1.5 inches deep and an inch broader than the bricks.
Cover the trench in landscaping cloth then fill it to about 2 inches with sand. Finally, use a rubber mallet to pound the bricks into place on top of the sand. It aids in their alignment and leveling.
Finally, check the positioning of the bricks with a builder’s level.
NOTE: Make sure the bricks aren’t sticking out. Otherwise, lawn mowers will keep hitting them whenever you are mowing grass along your fence.
Create a barrier
Putting up a barrier will stop neighbors’ grass or weeds from growing under the fence by limiting their access to light.
You may use something as easy as garden edging to keep light from getting between the fence and the barrier. Simply dig it into the ground and ensure it is hard against the fence at the top.
The barrier will prevent weeds from growing under the fence and into your lawn from the neighbor’s side. Note that edging must be installed before other materials, such as grass seeds, mulch, or dirt, are laid down.
Ensure the area is clear of weeds before creating a barrier to prevent them from recurring.
You can use black plastic sheeting, weed fabric, or landscape cloth if you don’t have access to edging.
Uproot the weeds by hand
Another way to control your neighbor’s weeds from spreading to your lawn is by manually pulling them. However, this method requires time and effort to clear all weeds.
Make sure to wet the ground first in order to remove the weeds easily. Hot water is preferable since it also aids in killing weeds, but cold water will work equally fine.
Grab the weeds by hand and pull them from the ground once you have watered the area. Exercise caution while pulling roots from the soil to ensure none is left behind.
Dealing with your neighbor’s plants growing through the fence is important to avoid the transfer of stubborn weeds and their seeds to your lawn.
Herbicides, mulch, trenches, and barriers go a long way in keeping your neighbor’s weeds from coming under the fence to your lawn.
IW’s Chief Editor and a lover of green spaces.