.​If you think about your lawn as a neighborhood, weeds are the new neighbors that no one likes. They play loud music, their dog barks constantly, and they don't bother keeping their house in good condition. Neighbors like this can not only be annoying, they can also cause property values to plummet.  Weeds are very similar. They look terrible and can cause major damage to your lawn. Today we take a look at a few ways that weeds can ruin your lawn and exactly what you can do to keep this from happening.

​Well for starters, they take up precious space in your yard that grass and other plants need to grow. Let's go back to the neighborhood analogy. There is only so much space in your neighborhood to build housing. Suddenly, a developer moves in and starts putting up new condominiums. Things would get very crowded in your neighborhood very quickly. Weeds can also steal precious food from your plants, leaving them more susceptible to disease and insect invasion. Your plants need light, water, and nutrients like nitrogen and potassium to grow. Weeds love to steal these nutrients from healthy plants to use for themselves.

Some weeds are also parasites. These weeds not only compete with healthy plants for real estate and nutrients, they also attach themselves to the stems or roots of them. This, in turn, leaves them vulnerable to disease and insect infestation. Certain weeds can also wreak havoc on humans. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 23 million Americans suffer from ragweed allergies. Anyone unfortunate enough to have these allergies can tell you just how awful having weeds in their yard can be.

You put a lot of work into your yard and garden. You deserve to have an outdoor space that is free of weeds. Fortunately, there are a few basic steps you can take to make this a reality. First and foremost, it is important to eliminate any bare soil. Soil devoid of any plant life offers weed seeds the perfect place to grow without interference. Spread a decent amount of mulch over any space where nothing is growing to discourage weed growth and consider planting new grass and/or plants in this space. It is also recommended that you cover any crops you have growing sometime in the fall. This will protect your soil in the winter and spring and prevent any new weeds from taking root.

If it's too late and weeds have made their home in your lawn and garden, all is not lost. Mowing your grass on a routine basis can keep new weeds from popping up. You can also alter your watering schedule depending on your yard's needs. Watering grass less often but with more water will make it stronger and less susceptible to invading weeds. 

You can also hire a lawn care professional to help you with those nasty weeds. We here at Aventura Nursery and Landscaping would be more than happy to rid your yard and garden of any invasive weeds. Give us a call today at 352-799-3200 and let us know how we can help you.