Get matched with top weed maintenance pros in Boston, NY

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.

Professionals employ protective measures such as covering or temporarily relocating plants, minimizing chemical usage, and carefully planning construction routes to avoid damage. These precautions preserve the integrity and appearance of the landscaping during projects.

The safest method to avoid killing your turf grass is hand pulling Johnsongrass. You can also apply vinegar for a safer herbicide, but it will still burn your lawn if it gets on it.

It’s not legal to intentionally damage a neighbor’s tree. Even if the roots of a tree encroach into your yard, if you damage or kill a tree that belongs to your neighbor, you can be held liable for the damage in most cases. Since herbicides can spread through the tree, causing damage to the whole tree and not just the roots that are on your side of the property line, you shouldn’t poison your neighbor’s tree. The other downside to this method is that if the tree dies, it can fall onto your property and cause more damage, so herbicides are best avoided in this circumstance.