
Native gardens are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their surroundings. However, caring for these gardens can be incredibly difficult, especially when weeds appear. You may worry that attempting to fight these weeds on your own may damage your garden more than allowing them to grow.
But, leaving weeds untended can also lead to a sparse, sad, unhealthy garden. If you’ve noticed weed growth in your native garden and want to learn more about how to address it, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
What is a Native Garden?
Native gardens are gardens that are adapted to local climate and conditions to ensure you have an eco-friendly lawn. These gardens utilize local plants that provide local wildlife, butterflies, birds, and pollinators with essential nutrients to support a healthier environment. Gardens that are home to non-native plants often require a great deal of support to ensure lush growth.
When you invest in a native garden for your home, you can trust that these plants have adapted to local weather and soil conditions. This adaption means they are better equipped for your environment without additional treatments like pest control. There are many benefits to investing in a native garden, including:
- Create wildlife habitats, ensuring a safe environment for insects, birds, and more
- Support pollinators, benefitting nearby plants and communities
- Use far less water in drought-prone areas
- Reduce the need for weekly or monthly maintenance
- Create a beautiful, biodiverse garden that complements your home

How to Tell the Difference Between Native Plants and Weeds
If you’ve ever walked past a native garden, you may have a difficult time differentiating between native plants and weeds. When you think of a garden, you might think of a manicured area with lush flower bushes, shrubs, and trees. However, in a native garden, the plants might not look quite like you expect. There are a few characteristics to look for in weeds that a native plant might not present, including:
- Seed Production: Weeds often produce far more seeds than native plants, helping them spread quickly. If you notice a lot of seeds, it is most likely a weed.
- Appearance: While the appearance of weeds and native plants might be similar, there are a few distinct differences. Some weeds have spikier, more distinctive leaves and stems than native plants.
- Growth: Unlike native plants, weeds will grow far more quickly. In some cases, their growth will ravage surrounding plants, leading to thinning in your garden.
Should You Treat Weeds in a Native Garden?
If you notice weeds growing in your native garden, you might wonder whether you should treat these. Weeds are often incredibly aggressive and can wreak havoc on the plants growing in your garden. If you don’t treat these weeds when they appear, it can lead to thinning of your garden, which can also harm local wildlife. Instead of leaving this weed growth untreated, it is best to tackle it as soon as it appears.

How to Treat Weeds Without Harming Native Plants
If you are dealing with weed growth in your garden, there are a few things you can do to treat this growth, including:
- Hand-Weeding: Hand-weeding is one of the easiest ways to protect your garden. If you notice a single weed emerging, pull it as soon as it pops up to protect surrounding plants from any additional growth or damage.
- Selective Herbicides: If you normally use store-bought weed killers, it might be best to look for a product labeled “selective.” These products will target specific weeds while protecting the surrounding plants.
- Apply Mulch: If you’ve dealt with weed growth in the past and want to prevent it in the future, you might want to consider investing in mulch. This layer blocks the sunlight that allows weeds to continue growing.
- Plant Ground Cover: Much like mulch, ground cover is a great way to block weed growth. This coverage will prevent the sun from reaching these weeds, stopping them in their tracks.
- Invest in Professional Lawn Care: If you’ve continued to struggle with weeds in your native garden, it might be time to invest in professional lawn care services. With professional services, you can trust that they’ll identify the root of this weed growth and help you address it.

Protect Your Native Garden with Green Castle Lawn Care
If you want to ensure the safety and well-being of your native garden, it is best to work with a team of trusted professionals like our team at Green Castle Lawn Care. Since 1999, our team has provided expert care to lawns across the Wasatch Front. Whether you have a well-manicured grass lawn or are planning something a little less traditional, we can provide expert support. From fertilization and aeration to weed and pest control, our team does it all.
When you are ready to schedule lawn care services for your home, don’t hesitate to contact our team for support.