There is no control but there are some steps you can take. Mulch is a soil covering good for your garden plants. To mulch means to add a layer of material to the soil surface to keep weed seeds from germinating, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion. If using an organic mulch, apply a layer 2 to 4 inches deep. Plant right through the mulch, cutting small holes where needed.
Fertilizer is a material which provides nutrients to plant roots in a form that the roots can use.
It is usually lower in percent of nutrients. It also adds humus to the soil. A chemical fertilizer is a manufactured product, compounded of various nutrients in a base material which allows spreading. Plant roots use a chemical compound in solution which is taken up from the soil particles. N, P and K are required most heavily and used up more quickly.