Neighbor's Weeds Spreading Into Your Yard? Here's What You Can Do

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When your well-nurtured yard ends up sharing space with something you didn't plant, it can feel like an intrusion or a small rebellion of chaos against your cultivated order. But this is the moment to pause and look at it from a different perspective. You need to consider how you can protect what's yours while coexisting with the unpredictable. After all, you can't always stop the outside forces from spilling in, but you can choose how to respond. Stop invasive weeds from next door by maintaining your yard, installing a physical or natural barrier, and yes, having an honest conversation with your neighbor about the wandering plants.

What you shouldn't do is let irritation dictate your actions. Avoid spraying or ripping the weeds on your neighbor's property. Those weeds, for all their nuisance, belong to their owner. So, technically speaking, you have no legal right to kill what's theirs. Who knows, they might be even be growing them intentionally. Acting impulsively, therefore, risks the neighborly relationship. What you should do instead is talk to your neighbor. Maybe they aren't even aware their plants are invading your space. By opening a conversation, you give them the chance to see the problem from your side. Maybe they'll remove the plants themselves, or be delighted to let you take care of the weed problem for them. At the very least, they will be more mindful going forward.

The first step is to create a barrier between your yard and your neighbor's. Dig a trench along the edge of your property and slip in a garden border like this Stirlingear Galvanized Steel Landscape Edging. The 4-inch edging comes with sharp teeth that easily sink into the soil. Garden borders block ground weeds from spreading. 

You can also help banish weeds from your lawn by mulching. Lay down a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch over beds. It'll block sunlight from reaching weeds (or any weed seeds that blew into your yard) and prevent them from growing. It also holds moisture for your plants and enriches the soil, which is a plus. Pair mulch with smart planting choices. Thick ground covers like pachysandra and liriope compete with weeds for sunlight and nutrients. By filling the gaps quickly, they leave little to no room for weeds to settle. Maintaining healthy grass is another way to get rid of weeds in your garden. Make sure you mow, water, and fertilize it regularly. Healthy grass leaves weeds nowhere to thrive.