Q&A: weed, insect control on lawn near garden and shrubs?

August 1, 2010 by admin

Question by iwisuri: weed, insect control on lawn near garden and shrubs?
I have small lawn, about 3500 s.f. There are large trees that are the edge of woods in the back. I have a small raised vegetable garden in the middle of the lawn. I also have a few small blueberry and raspberry bushes amongst the lawn.
I am using the scotts program. I am looking for some alternatives. Basically, after using step 2 weed control I noticed the bluberries look like they were damaged by it. I didnt spread it right at the base of them, but maybe gave them an 18″ buffer. This wasnt enough. I am thinking that I may want to just spread turf builder by scotts for the lawn, and aplly seperate products for weed and insects. I will be applying grubex in the next few days. In mid july I plan on applying an insect control product. And would like to apply another weed application. What tips do people have on a weed application that won’t harm the bushes and garden?

What does everyone think?

Best answer:

Answer by GracieM
For insect control, use Diatomaceous earth:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

or Beneficial nematodes:

http://www.suburbanhabitat.com/pd_beneficial-nematodes.php?gclid=CM_J1Mnt6owCFRNTgQodCSoj2Q

For weed control, the best solution is to dig them up by the root. You can also pour boiling water on them. Do not use salt as this may harm your existing plants. Vinegar may work, but again, it may do harm.

Add your own answer in the comments!

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Tag: Control, Garden, INSECT, Lawn, near, shrubs, Weed

Reader's Responses:

terrapin_03 says:

August 1, 2010 at 3:41 am

Im in virginia so this might not work for your region. But I use a SOD method I got from my dad. (September October December)

I moved into my new used house, in august and the yard was nothing but weeds. So, I killed all unwanted weeds, patches and everything that wasnt grass with a broad leaf weed killer (its the type that kills when contact is made with weeds so you can be descriminate about what you kill).

Once the whole lawn was dead, I placed recommended amounts of Lime, Fertilizer, and Grass Seed in September, October and December. (Young grasses planted in the spring die from summer heat in VA). Now my lawn isnt award winning but for my first summer, it looks great. I just water and mow as necessary (until september when I’ll continue my seeding lime and fertilizer).