Spring is here, and so are weeds.  Many people are determined to eliminate weeds as quickly as possible, and this can mean reaching for the bottle of weed killer.  But what if there was a natural, safe way to prevent weeds from appearing in the first place?  There is!

[caption id="attachment_2148" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/mulch.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2148 size-medium" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/mulch-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a> Image courtesy of FineGardening.com[/caption]

At Midwest Pesticide Action Center, our goal is to offer alternative solutions to these dangerous and commonly used pesticides.  We suggest preventing the germination of weeds by mulching around existing plants in garden beds in early spring. Weeds need light and warm soil to grow.  A layer of mulch keeps sunlight from reaching the soil surface, keeping weed germination at a minimum. Even if the seeds germinate because of the warmer soil temperatures in spring, most weed seedlings won’t have the energy or sunlight necessary to push through the thick pile of mulch.  There are as many choices for mulch as there are budgets and tastes.  Shredded hardwood is a common type of mulch, but chopped leaves and grass clippings can be effective too.

Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/toxicfreeMW">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MidwestPesticideActionCenter">Facebook</a> for more practical tips on how to best use mulch to prevent weeds from popping up in your yard.