Want to Give Your Yard The Best Chance of Surviving a Drought? Experts Say This Often-Overlooked Task is Key
It can be difficult to know how to care for your garden during dry, scorching weather, but this simple task is crucial
As temperatures soar and the prospect of rain becomes increasingly unlikely, you might be feeling a little anxious about keeping your plants hydrated. It's easy to forget, however, that weeds compete for the moisture in your yard, which is why weeding is a crucial task to check off your list during a drought.
No gardener looks forward to pulling up stubborn weeds – especially in hot weather. But with their complex root systems and relentless growth, weeds can absorb far more moisture than cultivated plants, leaving the rest of your garden to struggle.
So, while it's easy to let a task like this drop to the bottom of your list, getting rid of weeds now will ensure you're prepared for the dry, scorching days that are yet to come. Below, experts reveal why weeding during drought is important and how it will benefit your yard.
Why You Shouldn't Forget About Weeding During Drought
When it comes to creating a drought-tolerant yard, many gardeners will think of planting and landscaping. After all, drought-tolerant plants will save you the stress of constant watering, while drought-tolerant landscaping guarantees good water management.
Yet, according to experts, a simple task like weeding can be transformative in hot, dry periods. Weeds don't just look unsightly; below the surface, their root systems can essentially 'steal' moisture and other vital resources from the plants in your yard.
There's no denying that weeding is easily overlooked, and it's especially tempting to put it off at a time like this, when many regions are experiencing heatwaves. It is, however, even more crucial right now, and ticking it off your summer gardening checklist will leave you feeling more prepared for the months ahead.
'Most homeowners don't consider weeding in a drought until their yard is suffering, but it's actually one of the first things I mention when we're working on a property that has dry, stressed soil,' says Bennett Barrier, CEO of DFW Turf Solutions.
Bennett is CEO of DFW Turf Solutions, a family-owned and operated business founded in Texas in 2014. He oversees both the design and installation of artificial grass including lawn turf, pet turf, pool turf, putting greens, sports fields and commercial applications, observing first-hand how drought affects grass and soil.
It might be hard to believe, but competition really is the crux of the problem.
'Every broadleaf weed you ignore is silently stealing water that your garden needs,' explains Bennett. 'Weeds do not take a break when it is dry; if at all, they become more aggressive.'
With this in mind, pulling up the pesky weeds in your borders and beds can have a significant impact on moisture retention in the soil.
'In yards with dense clay soil that have been cleared of weeds, water retention is noticeably longer than those that have not been cleared,' Bennett adds.
There are plenty of different types of weeders to choose from, depending on the plants in your yard. Hand weeders, like this one from Home Depot, are ideal for everyday tasks, while standing weeders, like this one from Amazon, will assist you with more stubborn species and tougher root systems.
You can even use tools like a hori hori knife (which you can find at Walmart) or a hand tiller (which you can pick up at Ace Hardware). You can also make your own weed killer if you're looking for a low-maintenance solution.
Make Weeding a Priority – Before it's Too Late
When it comes to yard maintenance, your priorities are likely to shift as summer sets in. It's best to think of weeding as preventative: get it done as early as possible, and you'll eliminate more serious issues in the future.
'In my experience, drought conditions usually make small problems turn into bigger problems faster,' reflects Alex Wright, founder of YardCalc. 'A few weeds don't seem like a big deal early on, but once they get established, you're dealing with larger root systems and usually harder, drier soil at the same time.'
Alex Wright is a real estate investor, software engineer, and founder of YardCalc, a free collection of material calculators for homeowners, contractors, and landscapers. He writes about landscaping materials, property improvement projects, and practical ways homeowners can plan outdoor work.
Regular weeding will also save you from the backbreaking work of pulling up entire plants, which can have detrimental effects on the rest of your garden.
'It's always easier to remove weeds while they're still small,' says Alex. 'Once they've had time to spread roots and settle in, pulling them becomes more work, and you disturb more of the surrounding soil too.'
Naturally, weeding isn't the only weapon in your arsenal at this time of year, and creating a foolproof watering system will also help you to protect your plants in a heatwave.
Drip irrigation kits, like this one from Amazon, are a brilliant way to keep your plants happy during hot weather (you can also try out a DIY drip irrigation system).
There are, in fact, irrigation kits for every part of your yard: drip irrigation grids, like this one from Garden in Minutes, will provide consistent moisture to your raised beds, while hanging basket irrigation kits like this one (also from Amazon) are perfect for container gardens.
A soil moisture meter, like this one from Walmart, is also a valuable investment if you're unsure about how much water different plants require.
Ultimately, however, weeding will guarantee a neater, healthier yard that is better equipped to handle a drought. And it doesn't just regulate soil moisture. Weeding also allows you to keep a closer eye on your plants, which helps to fend off bug infestations and diseases.
'Thick weed growth makes it harder to spot pest damage and early disease,' confirms Bennett. 'Drought-stressed plants are already weakened, so catching those problems late makes everything worse.'
Desperate for a low-effort approach to weeding your yard? Check out our tips on weeding a garden quickly, or read up on common weeding mistakes and how to avoid them.
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