Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Meadowbrook, AL

Landscaping fabric can only help to prevent weed growth in the short term. It's not an ideal long-term solution because dirt will eventually make its way on top of it, causing weeds to sprout. These fabrics can also leave microplastics in the environment for many, many years, so pulling weeds using one of the methods in this guide as soon as you see them is a better long-term prevention strategy.

Herbicide application, manual removal, and landscape fabric are common approaches.

There are organic herbicide options that will kill grass but not flowers, including white vinegar or a dish soap solution. Commercial selective herbicides can also target grass over other plants, but read the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your garden. Herbicides that kill grass but not flowers usually include ingredients like clethodim and sethoxydim. Otherwise, your best bet will be to weed by hand.

If you spray a DIY vinegar solution that contains high salt, it can disrupt the soil's structure and make it difficult for plants to grow. That's why it's vital to avoid spraying vinegar solution on areas where you are trying to grow plants and flowers. When using a mix of vinegar and soap, some say you can plant a few days after the vinegar dries.