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You should add 1 to 4 inches of mulch, depending on your garden type and needs. Keep in mind that no amount of mulch can completely prevent weeds, but a heavier coverage (closer to 4 inches) can suppress weeds enough that you are only seeing them sprout every few weeks. Finer mulch prevents weeds more effectively than large mulch, so if you’re using mulched leaves or shredded bark, 1 to 2 inches will likely suffice, while 3 to 4 inches is best for larger mulch, like bark chips or straw.

Yellow leaves and stems on your sprouts indicate they’re not getting enough light. Keep them near the appropriate light source and give them as much as they need (they require longer exposure to fluorescence than they do to natural light sources).

All herbicides come with risks, but you can control and mitigate risks by discussing your options with your weed service company before application. Some companies use milder or sustainable herbicides more times per season to control weeds rather than one to two herbicide sprayings annually. You can also ask your professional about pet-friendly and kid-friendly services. In most cases, though, you can wait a few days after the application for the herbicides to soak into the ground, at that point they shouldn’t pose a risk to you or your family.

Poison oak is similar to poison ivy in that it's in the same family of plants. Poison oak is identifiable by its rounded-off leaves and hairy leaf texture. Tree-climbing varieties live primarily in western states while low-growing poison oak bushes occupy the eastern states. Treat poison oak like poison ivy to get rid of it permanently.