Weeds. Like mosquitoes, we simply wonder – why? They are the bane of every gardener’s existence.

Let’s define weeds simply as plants that are growing where they’re not wanted.

They can take any form and typically produce large numbers of seeds, which means they have a habit of spreading easily.

On top of that, they’re resilient, excellent at surviving and reproducing in disturbed environments.

There are some pretty basic approaches to getting rid of weeds.

Prevention is better than cure – try and prevent weeds from taking hold in the lawn. Remove seed heads from any weeds that do arise and take care bringing soil or equipment into the garden (which can be easier said than done).

If you do get weeds in the lawn, easiest way to get rid of them is to dig them out.

Physical removal of weeds in their early stages is the best method. Young weeds are easier to remove and they haven’t had the chance to form seeds that can spread to other parts of the garden.

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Mulching is also a good way to prevent weeds from taking hold as it stops light from getting to the weed, stunting its growth. Keep the layer of mulch to no more than 5cm so the lawn still receives oxygen.

However, be sure the mulch is clean – it could include weed seeds, which will just exacerbate the problem.

Finally, you can hit weeds hard with a herbicide. There are many types available, including non-chemical, natural herbicides.