Understanding Weeds and How to Handle Them

Hello More Than Gardeners,

As summer progresses and we approach the cooler days of fall, it’s the perfect time to start planning your next steps in the garden. Here are some seasonal tasks to keep in mind:

• Observe your garden: Is there a plant that’s grown too large? Consider splitting it in the fall.

• Check plant shapes: Summer storms can damage limbs. Pruning now can help restore structure and prevent future issues.

• Rearrange your plants: Fall is the best time to transplant. As temperatures drop, plants enter dormancy and focus on root growth, which sets them up for success in spring.

• Thinking about removing lawn? Smothering with cardboard now will make converting grass patches into garden beds much easier by October.

  
  
  
  
  
  

Understanding Weeds and How to Handle Them

We will be managing weeds through much of the fall, and it's important to remember that not all weeds are the same.

A “weed” is simply an unwanted plant in a particular place. For native plant enthusiasts, the term also refers to invasive species. While native plants are not considered invasive, some can behave very aggressively. This may be an opportunity to divide and transplant them—or even share extras at a plant swap with friends or neighbors.

How to Approach Different Weeds

Seed-spreading weeds: These weeds should be pulled before they flower and go to seed. Seeds can travel up to 5 miles through wind, water, or animals. Common Long Island examples include:

• Mugwort

• Dandelion

• Chicory

• Ragweed

  
  

Root-spreading weeds: Best controlled by smothering—lay down cardboard, weigh it down, and cover with mulch. Do this now to weaken the roots before fall. Weeds that respond well to smothering include:

• Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie)

• Field Bindweed

• Curly Dock

• Poison Ivy

• Nutsedge

  
  

Weeds that require repeated cutting: Some aggressive species can be weakened and eventually eliminated through consistent cutting at the base. This prevents photosynthesis and drains the plant’s energy reserves. Examples include:

• Japanese Knotweed

• Garlic Mustard

• Yellow Dock

• Common Burdock

  
  

Tip: Prevent weeds from flowering whenever possible. Many weed seeds can remain viable in the soil for years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate.

Need Help with Fall Garden Tasks?

Fall is one of our busiest and most productive seasons. If you’d like assistance with weeding, garden cleanups, lawn removal, or new plantings, we’re here to help.

Book early to secure your place in our schedule.

Thank You for Siding with the Planet

Every step you take—whether it’s skipping synthetic mulch, planting native species, or reusing organic materials—contributes to a more sustainable, biodiverse world. Your garden is part of the solution.

With appreciation, 

Agatha and the More Than Gardens Team