Keeping Your Garden Weed-Free

by Jenna Marshall

Weeds are inevitible, but not impossible to keep out of your garden. A weed is any plant that is growing where you don't want it to. The seeds are usually buried under several inches of soil, lying dormant. When we till up the soil to prepare a bed, we bring them to the surface. Here they can get the air and sunlight they need to grow.

Weeds are a danger to your plants. They need water, sunlight, nutrients and room to grow, just like your plants do, and they will compete to get it. They are hardy plants, and can overpower delicate plants. They also bring insects and diseases.

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It is crucial to eliminate weeds while they are small. If you wait until the plant is larger, it has already taken a lot of vital nutrients away from your plants. You also run the risk of it going to seed, ensuring you will have to fight the weeds for years to come. So, do yourself the favor and catch them early.

They may be difficult to identify early in spring, when your plants are small, too. For this reason, be sure to label your plants to help you tell the difference. They are much easier to remove when they are young. They will generally pull out of the soil, roots and all, without much effort. Be sure to get the roots to prevent it from growing back.

If you don't catch them early, the work is a little harder. You may have to dig a little to get to the roots, and they don't pull out as easily. Be persistant. Get down to the roots and you won't have reappearance of the problem. There are special tools designed to just pop them out, but hand tools work just fine. There is nothing really complicated about this process.

It is wise to make it a habit to weed every time you visit your garden. A careful eye and consistent effort will help to keep your garden thriving.

For keeping weeds under control for the long run, mulch is an excellent tool. It works by preventing sunlight and air from getting to the seeds to prevent germination. There are lots of ways to do this. Many people use black plastic, weed control fabrics, newspapers, pine bark, gravel, straw, and so on. Whatever type of mulch you choose, be sure not to lay it on too thick. You don't want to smother the roots of your plants, so keep it to a maximum of 3 inches.

If you choose to use plastic as a mulch, don't use the clear; use black plastic only. Clear plastic still allows sunlight in, and acts like a greenhouse for the weeds.

Some people choose to use herbicides. I would like to urge you to consider more natural approaches first. Weed problems are easily remedied with a little hard work. I think you'll find that a little sweat equity will be a much more pleasant way to rid your garden of weeds.

Though weeding is not what you want to spend your time on in the garden, it doesn't have to be a dreaded chore. A few special items to make your work a little more comfortable will make it easier. A good kneeling pad, bucket, a pair of gloves, and some sturdy hand tools are all you really need. Plus, the more you do it, the more rewards you will reap from your plants.