How to Control Weeds Around Iris Flower Beds
Weeds in an iris bed can present problems, because the longer the weeds are left to grow, the more they will multiply, until your irises are choked out. Irises grow from rhizomes, and weeds have to be carefully pulled so the rhizomes aren't damaged. It is important to control the weeds in the iris bed. Weeds among iris are not only unattractive; they provide a breeding ground for the iris borer and other pests. Most flower beds can be mulched, but not irises. Mulch in an iris bed keeps the rhizomes too wet and they will eventually rot. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Gardening gloves
- Scissors or pruning shears
- Pre-emergence herbicide
- Post emergence herbicide
Instructions
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Pull the weeds by hand, trying to remove as much of the root as possible. Put on a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands. Grasp the weed stem, close to the ground and pull. If the weeds do not come out, or if they break off at the stem, water the iris bed, just enough to moisten the ground. Pulling weeds in a saturated ground will make the soil become hard.
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Cut off the weeds at ground level with a pair of scissors. This works well for weeds that are hard to pull. By continually cutting them off, they are unable to make or form seeds.
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Apply a pre-emergence herbicide. This is applied late in the fall and it will kill weed seeds before they germinate. Apply according to the label direction. This kills the weeds before they grow. Check the label on the pre-emergence you choose, so it is safe for your iris bed. Talk to the sales clerk for the right one to use.
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Apply a post emergence herbicide. A post emergence herbicide is applied during the growing season. It selectively kills weeds, but not the iris plants. Talk to the sales clerk at the garden center for the right one to use. Not all are safe to use in an iris bed. Read and follow label directions.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
