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Having a fence around your property provides privacy, security, and curb appeal. However, they also offer the perfect environment for invasive weeds to take root and flourish. Left unchecked, weeds along your fence line can quickly get out of control, becoming an eyesore while also damaging your fence.
In this comprehensive guide we will cover the most problematic weeds found on fences and proven solutions to eliminate them for good.
Why Do Weeds Grow on Fences?
Weeds thrive along fences for several reasons
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Fences provide vertical structures for vines and climbing plants to attach to. Weeds can climb up fences to reach sunlight above other plants in your landscape.
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Chain link, wood, wire mesh, and other types of fencing offer convenient support systems for weeds to climb up.
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Birds perching on fences deposit weed seeds in their droppings which fall onto the ground below. Wind also blows seeds onto fences.
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Areas around fences often contain disturbed bare soil that gives weed seeds the perfect conditions to sprout and colonize.
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Lack of maintenance along fence lines enables weeds to gain a foothold and spread without disruption.
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Gaps at the bottom of fences allow weeds to sneak underneath and pop up on the other side.
To reduce weed growth, maintain landscaping around fences, quickly eliminate unwanted seedlings, and use barriers to block weed emergence. Let’s look at the 5 most notorious weeds found on fences and how to eradicate them.
5 Worst Weeds That Grow on Fences
1. Morning Glory
Also called bindweed, fast-growing morning glory vines produce trumpet-shaped flowers that open at sunrise. They spread vigorously by wrapping and twisting their stems around any available support, including fence posts, wire, and boards.
Morning glory is an aggressive seed spreader that’s extremely difficult to get rid of once established. The vines can quickly engulf fences, smothering plants and structures in their path.
2. Climbing Nightshade
Both annual and perennial nightshade species readily grow as troublesome vines on fences. They produce clusters of small white flowers that form egg-shaped red berries. All parts of climbing nightshades are toxic if ingested.
Dense growth covers fences and other vegetation, blocking sunlight. Manual removal is challenging due to extensive underground root systems. Nightshades thrive along disturbed fence lines.
3. Virginia Creeper
The beautiful red fall foliage of Virginia creeper belies its aggressively invasive nature. It climbs quickly on fences, decks, and buildings by attaching with little suction cup-like adhesive tendrils.
Once established, removing Virginia creeper by hand often pulls off chunks of siding, fencing, and wood panels as the vines tenaciously rip free. It’s extremely hard to eradicate.
4. Poison Ivy
Poison ivy grows as a destructive spreading ground cover and readily climbs up fences, trees, and structures if given the chance. All parts of the plant secrete an oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash in most people.
Poison ivy vines attach using aerial rootlets and spread rapidly. Even small amounts of contact with the urushiol oil can cause severe skin irritation. Poison ivy is very common along fence lines.
5. Wild Grape
Wild grape grows vigorously anywhere it can find support, including fences and trees. Fast growing vines produce large crops of fruit eaten by birds that spread seeds widely.
The woody stems have sharp forked tendrils that dig into any surfaces they encounter. Manual removal risks injury and results in regrowth from remaining roots. Wild grape quickly overtakes fences.
5 Solutions to Eliminate Fence Weeds
If your fences are currently covered in any of these noxious weeds, don’t panic! Here are 5 effective methods to get rid of them for good:
1. Physical Removal
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Pull young weed seedlings by hand as soon as you notice them. Wear protective gloves to avoid skin contact with poison ivy.
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Cut back vine growth repeatedly at ground level to deplete root reserves and prevent regrowth.
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Use specialized weed puller tools to extract roots of poison ivy, Virginia creeper, and other deep-rooted perennial weeds.
2. Smother with Mulch or Tarps
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Cover fence lines and surrounding areas with 3-4 inches of mulch to block sunlight and smother weeds.
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Use old tarps or landscape fabric secured around fence bases to prevent weed growth. Weight down the edges well.
3. Apply Herbicides
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Use systemic herbicides containing glyphosate (Roundup) to kill weeds and translocate through root systems.
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Organic vinegar-based herbicides provide contact weed control for emerged growth along fences.
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Apply pre-emergent herbicides like trifluralin in spring to stop weed seeds from sprouting.
4. Maintain Vigilance
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Patrol for weeds and quickly eliminate any new growth before it gets rooted.
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Cut back morning glory and wild grape vines immediately to stop them from taking over fences.
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Monitor and treat problematic areas aggressively to prevent reinfestation. Don’t let weeds gain a foothold.
5. Install Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric
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Attach breathable landscape fabric to fences to block sunlight penetration and stop weed growth.
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Bury edges 6 inches deep and secure well to prevent weeds from creeping underneath.
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Maintain gravel or mulch buffers along fence lines to inhibit windblown weed seeds.
Stopping weeds before they become established is much easier than trying to eliminate mature infestations. Keep fences weed-free with diligent monitoring and quick removal of invaders. Your fences will look attractive and last longer without destructive weeds compromising their integrity. Maintaining a weed-free fence line takes work, but the effort pays off in curb appeal and preventing long-term damage.
Left uncontrolled, aggressive vine weeds like morning glory, wild grape, Virginia creeper, climbing nightshade, and poison ivy can quickly overtake fence lines. But implementing proactive control measures can keep your fences pristine and weed-free.
Remove young weeds promptly by hand or apply targeted herbicides. Smother weeds and block growth using mulch, tarps, or landscape fabric. Stay vigilant in monitoring for new weed emergence and treat quickly to prevent spread. Establishing weed barriers plus consistent maintenance will defend your fences against invasive plants.
Keeping your fences looking their best not only improves curb appeal but also protects your property investment. Don’t let nuisance weeds damage your fences. Implement these solutions to eliminate current growth and prevent recurring infestations in the future.
What Kills Weeds on Fences
- The best thing to use to kill weeds on and near fences is a non-selective herbicide like Eraser 41% Glyphosate. Using a non-selective herbicide ensures a broader range of weeds will be controlled.
Covering Chain Link Fences with Plants
There are a few things to consider when covering chain link fences with plants. Before deciding which plant you will use, think about what you would like the plants that grow on fences to accomplish:
- Do you want flowering vines for fences or foliage vines?
- Do you want an evergreen vine or a deciduous vine?
- Do you want an annual vine or a perennial vine?
Each choice is important depending on what you want for your fence.
Controlling Weeds In Fence Lines – Killing Off The Weeds and Grass
FAQ
How do I get rid of weeds on my fence line?
Applying non-selective herbicides on a fence line is the best way to chemically control weeds. Using non-selective herbicides like Glyphosate or Glufosinate kill both broadleaf and grass plants.
What is the plant that grows on fences?
Consider visually striking honeysuckle, clematis, roses, grapes, trumpet vine, fast morning glories and unique pipevine to embellish fences in the garden. Choose varieties suiting your regional growing conditions for best success. Then stand back and admire the living works of art they create on fences!
Why do weeds grow near fences?
Weeds are simply plants that grow where they are not wanted. They can be very difficult to control and often spread quickly. Weeds usually grow near fences because they are looking for a place to get sunlight and water. Fences provide the perfect environment for them to do this.
How do I stop my neighbor’s weeds from coming through my fence?
Create a Barrier
That’s because many weeds grow by “creeping,” so they’ll just creep right under the fence. But you could create a mulched area that separates your yard from the neighbor’s. It’s a lot easier to tackle weeds that creep into a mulch bed than it is to have them spread throughout the lawn.