Every garden owner has the right to design his property according to his own ideas and, if he wishes, to let it grow wild. However, in many communities, owners must at least keep the sidewalks and property lines tidy and keep weeds away from neighbors. This means that weeds must not get out of hand here. But how can we successfully combat weeds on the property border?
How do I remove and prevent weeds from the property line?
To remove and prevent weeds from the property border, you should weed out wild growth, mulch the border or provide it with a weed barrier and plant ground cover. A rhizome barrier can help with weeds from the neighboring property.
Weeding wild growth
If nettles, morning glories and other weeds have already settled on the property border, the first step is to weed them mechanically. Cut back the weeds and dig up the soil thoroughly. Remove all root residues, as many wild herbs grow back from even the smallest pieces of roots.
Mulch the property boundary or apply a weed fleece
Many seed weeds require light to germinate. You can remove this from the weeds by covering it with plant material. To prevent the seeds from unintentionally growing through the mulch, you should proceed as follows:
- Chop the property line and loosen the soil.
- Remove weeds including the roots.
- Spread grass clippings, bark mulch or other mulching material generously.
- If the weed growth is very strong, you can lay a special weed fleece under the mulch layer.
If individual plants do grow through the protective cover, they can simply be plucked out.
Placing ground cover plants
If the property boundary is already weed-free, ground cover can permanently displace the weeds and at the same time offer a very attractive sight.
If you plant these plants, which are available for shady and sunny locations, at the distance specified on the plant label, they will quickly form dense, green carpets. Since light no longer penetrates the ground, the weed seeds that are blown in do not sprout. Annoying weeding is almost completely eliminated.
The weeds are growing from my neighbor's property. What can I do?
As explained at the beginning, the neighbor is allowed to design his property as he sees fit. Due to sprawling roots and seeds, uncontrolled weeds unfortunately also settle in your garden.
To avoid this unwanted “overgrowth”, it usually only helps to bury a rhizome barrier along the garden fence. It is important to create the boundary professionally so that the desired effect is achieved.
- Use rhizome barriers (€109.00 at Amazon) made of high-pressure polyethylene, as pond liners and other materials can be penetrated by rampant weeds.
- Dig it into the ground at least 50, preferably 65 centimeters deep and leave the upper edge a few centimeters above the edge of the lawn.
- If you would like to keep ornamental plants such as bamboo or vinegar trees from your own garden on the property border, it is an advantage to set the rhizome barrier at a slight angle. This guides the roots upwards and stops them from simply growing under the plastic.
Tip
If there are slabs laid at the property boundary with undesirable greenery growing in the joints, you can burn down the weeds. Alternatively, you can clean the gaps with the joint scraper and sweep them again with special joint sand to prevent weeds.