When it comes to maintaining a healthy garden, moss can be a real pain in the grass.

Typically found in damp or shady locations, a dense green clump of moss can be a blemish to an otherwise beautiful lawn.

Luckily, there are a few lawn moss control treatments and techniques you can utilise to combat your moss problem. Here are some handy hints from the experts here at Total Weed Control...

How to remove lawn moss

The best time to remove moss from your lawn is during the spring and summer months. This allows your garden to prepare/recover during the summer period, where it will be at its peak in terms of growth.

Moss doesn't fare well in iron-rich soil...which is great if you have high levels of iron in your soil. For those who don't - if you're reading this, that probably includes you - giving your mossy tenant a dose of iron is a great way to ensure it has a rocky stay.

Now before you begin pouring gallons of Guinness all over your lawn, there is an easier way to supplement iron. Besides, that's a colossal waste of perfectly good Guinness - save that for a celebratory toast to a job well done later on.

Most lawn moss killers contain iron sulphate, so a simple spray of any good moss killing agent should provide more than enough iron to kill your moss.

Easy moss removal techniques

Another great lawn moss treatment is one that is easily achievable by any self-respecting homeowner. Everyday washing-up liquid is something that any household should have readily available and can also make for an effective partner in lawn moss control.

It's recommended that you use around 50ml of washing up liquid with 4.5 litres of water (for smaller patches, reduce measurements accordingly). From there, mix well and spray using a garden sprayer, being mindful not to drown the area. Spray the moss patch until there is visible run-off and let nature take its course.

Additionally, moss isn't great with lime either, so adding lime to your sprayer may also be helpful in eradicating your unwanted garden guest. This will make the soil less acidic, which is more favourable to grass as well.

Ideally, try to time these methods so that they don't coincide with an impending spell of rain, as this will likely dilute the formula and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment - putting a literal dampener on your mossy mutiny.

The root of the problem

Dead or dying moss will soon turn bronze in colour before drying up completely. Moss has very shallow roots so, once it turns orangey-brown, simply rake over the auburn excess and let the healthy grass take back its patch.

However, while the above methods can be great solutions to your moss problems in the short term, they may not solve your garden gripes in the long run. You could simply repeat the previous steps ad nauseam; however, there's no guarantee this will stop the moss from returning time after time.

If there's an underlying issue that is causing moss to grow in the first place, this is something that needs to be addressed in order to prevent it from rearing its ugly head once more.

How to control and prevent lawn moss

You can prevent lawn moss growth in a number of ways, from mowing technique and scarification to sufficient fertilisation and healthy water coverage. However, for peace of mind, why not get in touch with us for some expert advice on moss treatment?

At Taylor Total Weed Control, we specialise in lawn moss control and know exactly how to identify, treat and rid your lawn of its unwanted eyesores, once and for all. We even use specialist fertilisers unavailable to the general public to ensure your lawn gets a new lease on life - moss-free!

Cure your mossy headaches today with a FREE moss treatment survey! Hit the button below for more details or visit our Moss Control page.

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Okay, first things first, just what are perennial weeds?

As the name so accurately suggests, perennial weeds are simply troublesome vegetation that recur regeneratively time and again with a seemingly infinite frequency (i.e. perennial in nature).

These persistent little pests can be a major headache for gardeners and make for an ugly addition to an otherwise perfect flower bed. Without proper treatment, these troublesome weeds can crop up year after year like a botanical bad penny.

If knowledge is power then it’s time to take the power back, as we take a closer look at Britain’s most common perennial weeds.

What Perennial Weeds Are Common in the UK?

Ranging from the humble dandelion to the common buttercup, perennial weeds can come in a whole host of shapes, sizes and, of course, species.

Naturally, some are a little easier on the eye than others and sadly not all weeds will take the form of the aesthetically pleasant buttercup – which is all the more reason to give your soily squatters a speedy eviction.

Here are the five most common perennial weeds you may see in and around your garden.

Bramble

Featuring long thorny stems, brambles can grow up to 2m high. While they can feature clusters of white or pink flowers during the spring/summer, they are most recognisable by their fruit – the blackberry!

Thistle

Thistles are commonly found in two varieties: the spear plume and the creeping thistle. The former is relatively easy to deal with, while the latter is far more troublesome. Characterised by dark pink/purple flowers at the top of the stem, the creeping thistle is both easily spread and hard to unroot.

Bindweed

Boasting eye-catching white flowers, this somewhat pleasant-looking weed can be very misleading. Beneath the service, its roots can burrow very deep and are frustratingly brittle, making them almost impossible to remove whole.

Nettle

Commonly used for tea, soup and even smoothies, nettles can be a helpful weed to have around – particularly if you are adventurous in the kitchen. However, they can also be potentially hazardous due to their stinging hairs and can grow wildly out of hand if left to themselves. The roots can become a tangled mess beneath the surface, while the plant itself can grow to over a metre in height.

Dock

While dock leaves are famed for their soothing qualities in neutralising nettle stings, docks are still deemed weeds themselves. If left to mature, dock seeds are produced in abundance and can spread easily. Worse still, dock seeds can survive in soil for up to half a century!

Dealing with Perennial Weeds

So, just how do we give these weedy perennials an everlasting burial?

Like most problems in the garden, this is one problem that can be solved by rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. If you don’t happen to have any sleeves, now's the time to get changed – ‘cos it’s time to roll them up and get in the dirt!

The most effective way to weed out these perennial pains is to go straight to the source and get to the root of the problem… that being the roots. Unfortunately, most perennials weeds have roots that spread deep and wide, so ridding your soil of its outstretched tentacles can be a tough task. Tough but not impossible.

Physically pulling them out is a wise place to start; however, this may not be possible for weeds with brittle or stubborn roots. If yanking doesn’t get the job done, another way to deal with your weedy invader is to give the area a good old-fashioned forking. If available, it’s also a good idea to use a hoe and plough thoroughly.

Outrageous innuendos aside, yanking, forking and hoeing are the holy trinity of removing/destroying most perennial weeds. If the roots aren’t removed entirely, the damage done from the trauma should break up any remains, preventing regeneration. However, it's important to remember that this is a general rule of thumb and each weed may require its own particular approach.

If you still need assistance or aren’t sure how to deal with your particular case of perennial weeds, it may be worth considering chemical warfare in the form of weedkillers; however, if this is the case, it may be easier (and safer) all round to simply call in the experts.

For more information on weedkillers, treatments and general weed removal tips, why not drop us a line or enlist our team of experts to remove your problem plants for you?

Call today on 029 2039 7554 or hit the button below to contact us for a free survey now!

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If you're a homeowner or an individual that has recently bought a piece of land or maybe you're planning on buying some land to build on, it's important for you to be aware of the laws and legalities surrounding planning permission and everybody's favourite beast from the east, Japanese knotweed! 

As Japanese knotweed is classed as an intrusive plant here in the UK, there are a number of laws that surround the eastern Asian plant which may impact on your ability to extend your house or build one altogether. To make things a little clearer, let's take a look at some of these laws and what impact that may or may not have on your chances of gaining planning permission.

Planning Permission with Japanese Knotweed 

For individuals considering planning permission for their property, it is essential that the checks are conducted for the presence of Japanese knotweed. If carried out and there is a suspicion that the plant is present, it is vitally important that a survey is requested by an ecological surveyor. If its presence is then confirmed, a control programme suitable for the site in which the property sits will need to be planned as part of the planning application, which includes the safe removal of the knotweed. Planning conditions to ensure the control programme is performed sufficiently should be imposed.

Planning Conditions 

Planning conditions are imposed on sites where Japanese knotweed is known to be present in order to prevent the spread of the invasive plant, which under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an offence. Japanese knotweed is notorious for devaluing sites, as well as causing major structural damage to any buildings which may be developed on contaminated land. A management plan will need to be put into place which contains a number of the following things:

• The objective of control action 
• An assessment of control options
• Criteria for completion 
• Advice on preventing spread around site 

So, despite all of the hysteria surrounding Japanese knotweed, planning permission is still possible if found near your property! However, a stringent and effective plan to manage it must put into place before work can be carried out. 

If you have reason to believe that Japanese knotweed is present on your premises and require experienced professionals to assess and remove it, then do not hesitate to get in touch with Total Weed Control today for our expert Japanese knotweed removal services! 

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Any keen gardeners will have heard about Japanese knotweed supposedly having the ability to break through strong, impermeable materials like concrete. Can Japanese knotweed actually grow through concrete? Well, not exactly...

Japanese knotweed is one of the most relentless plants that will happily invade and spread through your garden, causing lots of damage as it goes. But, it's not strong enough to force its way through solid concrete slabs or walls.

That being said... Japanese knotweed is notorious for finding its way through small cracks and holes making it appear as though it has broken through all kinds of stony surfaces on its own!

The root of the problem:

Like any other plant, Japanese knotweed needs sunlight and water to grow. This means that it will take advantage of any crack or hole big enough to fit a trickle of water or a ray of sunshine down! Japanese knotweed's complex root system will send new shoots out to all of these available places, which is why our problem with this weed is so widespread. 

Getting rid of Japanese knotweed:

Unfortunately, most people's efforts to eradicate the plant themselves do not work, simply because destroying the visible plant will barely impact the complex root system underground. To tackle Japanese knotweed efficiently, you really need an expert team to deal with the weed.

Here at Total Weed Control, we have years of experience dealing with Japanese knotweed all over South Wales - so we're sure we can help you! Read more about our Japanese knotweed removal service here:

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Identifying Japanese knotweed can be a challenge on its own, you may have noticed some pesky weeds poking up through the paving around your garden. If you're not sure what they are, or how to get rid of them properly, contact us for a FREE lawn survey!

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What is Himalayan balsam?

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive plant with easily identifiable pink or white heart-shaped flowers, that was introduced to the UK in 1839. If you've ever wandered along a riverbank, pond or lake, we guarantee you will have seen it at least once! Himalayan balsam is a fairly common and widespread weed nowadays!

The reason it's able to flourish as much as is it does is because it can survive in low-level light conditions where other plants would struggle. Generally, Himalayan balsam grows to just over 2 metres tall and can be seen flowering in the middle and end of summer.  When the seeds are ready, the Himalayan balsam's seed pods explode violently, dispersing over 800 seeds per plant, no wonder we have such a rapidly expanding problem!

How can I get rid of it?

If you want to try and control the Himalayan balsam yourself you can try cutting the plant back or pulling it up before it has a chance to seed. Of course, with Himalayan balsam growing incredibly tall and in difficult to reach places, this method can be time-consuming and often ineffective. Using this method, you'll be lucky if it takes no fewer than three years to completely get rid of the Himalayan balsam!

If you need to use something that's much more likely to eradicate the problem quickly, weedkiller is the route to take. You could opt for a contact weedkiller which is applied directly to the weeds and is unlikely to harm other plants around the Himalayan balsam. Residual weed killers are less precise and can remain in the soil for a couple of weeks after you apply them.

Because Himalayan balsam tends to grow in wet areas, special care needs to be taken when you apply any kind of weedkiller. If any weedkiller leaks into the water accidentally, it may pose a health and safety risk! Generally, the best way to choose a suitable weedkiller is to take some time to read the bottle before purchasing.

Contact Total Weed Control

If you don't have the time (or will power) to browse the entire weedkiller aisle to deal with your Himalayan balsam problem, why not leave it to the professionals? 

Here at Total Weed Control, we can help you eliminate the Himalayan balsam in no time! We use techniques and weedkillers only available to industry professionals. click the button below to fill in our enquiry form, and we'll be in contact soon!

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