Why Autumn Is the Best Time to Tackle Weeds

If you only declare war on weeds once a year, autumn is the time to do it. Get on top of them now and you head off the explosion of growth that hits every Riverland garden in spring.

Beat them before they seed

The old saying — one year's seeding, seven years' weeding — is annoyingly true. A single weed left to flower and seed in autumn becomes hundreds of weeds in spring. Removing or spraying them before they set seed is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce next season's workload.

Weaker weeds, easier wins

As the weather cools, weed growth slows and the plants are easier to pull cleanly, roots and all, from the softer autumn soil. It's far less of a fight than tackling established weeds in the heat of summer.

Where to focus

• Garden beds — pull or spot-spray before mulching
• Lawns — keep turf thick and healthy so weeds can't get a foothold
• Paths, driveways and gravel — treat the cracks where weeds love to creep in
• Fence lines and kerbs — easy to miss, quick to get out of hand

One-off knockdown or ongoing control

Sometimes a single autumn treatment is all a yard needs. For properties that battle weeds every year, an ongoing program keeps them down for good. Either way, dealing with them now means a far tidier, lower-maintenance yard heading into spring.