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There are several ways to kill poison ivy permanently. The trick is to keep it from coming back. Herbicides and natural remedies are highly effective for killing existing poison ivy plants. However, plant and root parts left behind can easily create new sprouts that turn into full-grown plants. The only way to permanently get rid of poison ivy is to be patient and diligent until all traces of the plant are dead and gone.

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.

It’s best to pull weeds when the soil is wet, as it’s much easier. Wet soil is much softer than dry soil, making it easier to pull the entire weed up by the root. Also, since the soil is wet, the roots will let go of the soil and slide up with less resistance. Be careful when working on your wet garden, though, as wet soil is easier to compact, which can harm your plants.

Buffalo grass is not a dense grass, so weeds can grow between the buffalo grass plants. However, as long as you don’t overwater your lawn, weeds have a hard time growing. If you do notice weeds, you can use granular herbicides that are safe for buffalo grass in early and late summer.