How to Stop Your Neighbor’s Weeds From Invading Your Lawn, According to Experts

While spring showers bring beautiful flowers, they can also prompt your neighbor's weeds to creep into your lawn during the growing season. Keeping your lawn and flower garden healthy is hard work, and it’s possible to prevent your neighbor's weeds from ruining the beauty of your property. Whether the springtime weeds have already started to invade your side of the fence or not, there are several ways to combat them to ensure your hard work doesn't go to waste.

We spoke to an expert for her insight on the best ways to fight the spread of your neighbor's weeds and how to prevent it from happening in the first place. "Just 15 minutes of boundary maintenance each week during the growing season can keep your lawn looking pristine all year round, regardless of what's happening next door," says Ivana Agustina, head of project management at ShrubHub. Ahead, see more of her tips for keeping creeping weeds at bay.

Design a Barrier

Designing a barrier between your lawn and your neighbors is one of the most effective ways to prevent weeds from spreading. Agustina suggests using deep edging that extends 4 to 6 inches below the soil surface so that it can block out the roots of the weeds creeping into your lawn. "Materials like metal, vinyl, or concrete provide excellent separation without looking unfriendly," says Agustina. If you have been battling persistent invaders, try digging a small trench between your property line and filling it with mulch or gravel. Both the lawn and weeds won't be able to survive, stopping the spread.

Plant the Right Varieties

Strategically planting fast-growing, thick ground cover varieties to create a separation from your neighbor's invaders is a great way to protect your lawn along the property line. Agustina suggests plants like liriope, pachysandra, and dense shrubs that weeds typically aren't strong enough to overcome. "This approach not only blocks unwanted plants but adds to your garden's appeal," Agustina says.

Take Care of Your Lawn

Keeping your lawn healthy and thick is the best defense against creeping weeds. "Healthy grass with deep roots naturally crowds weeds," says Agustina. "Focus on proper watering, regular fertilization, and keeping grass at the right height—around 3 inches for most varieties."

If your lawn is patchy, try overseeding the bare patches to prevent the weeds from feeding on the weak spots.

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Add Mulch as a Divider

In addition to designing a physical barrier along your property line, adding mulch as extra defense can suffocate the weeds and prevent them from spreading. "Apply 3 to 4 inches of quality mulch in a band along your border," says Agustina. "This blocks the light that weed seeds need to germinate while creating a neat visual boundary."

When adding mulch to your lawn or garden, it is important to refresh it annually. This ensures its effectiveness in killing the spread of weeds and adds to your curb appeal preferences.

Communicate With Your Neighbor

As homeowners, we may all have different capacities for maintenance and preferences for how we want our property to look. When it comes to maintaining a friendly relationship with your neighbor, the best solution might be simply discussing your concerns with them. Consider proposing a shared lawn care schedule to reduce tension, or splitting the cost of professional weed control to ensure both properties are at their best, says Agustina. "The investment will be worth it when both yards look better and require less maintenance."