Weed Control in Gardens
An organic weed control guide for gardeners
Organic Weed Control Guide
by Monica Resinger
Weeds can spoil the look of a flowerbed, rob valuable nutrients from the soil
and can be a general nuisance. If you don't keep up with them, they can be even
more troublesome to get rid of. While they can be difficult to get under
control, don't lose hope, it just takes a little persistence and know how.
Here are some organic methods for controlling weeds:
Use of a stirrup hoe:
The best method I have found for controlling weeds works best in a vegetable
garden planted in rows and on young weed seedlings. You use a stirrup hoe to
cultivate the ground at least once a week. This hoe is like a regular hoe, but
instead of the flat surface, there is a round or squared off metal hoop at the
end. The side closest to you has a sharp edge, which cuts the weeds roots as you
are hoeing through the soil. It doesn't take much time to go out and work your
hoe down each row and by doing this, no weeds can grow because seedlings are
uprooted or cut off before they have a chance. You will have to weed by hand up
close and in between garden plants because the stirrup hoe can uproot or damage
them if worked too close.
Use of a pitchfork:
By using a pitchfork in a new and/or large bed with little or no existing
plants, you will be able to get most of the roots of long rooted weeds. It also
enables you to cover a large area faster. To use a pitchfork for weed control,
push it under a group of weeds and lift them. Shake the soil off the weeds and
dispose of them in the compost pile.
Vinegar or boiling water:
If you spot a weed growing in the sidewalk cracks of your sidewalk or in your
driveway, try pouring boiling water or vinegar over them. Don't do this in your
flowerbeds because it could also kill neighboring plants.
Mulch:
Use lots of mulch. As long as mulch is applied thick enough to keep sunlight
from reaching the soil, it will keep new weeds from sprouting. You can use grass
clippings, shredded and chipped branches, beauty bark, hay, leaves or compost.
Hand picking:
Take a walk through the yard equipped with a bucket and gloves as often as
possible and hand pick weeds. Try to pick them before they flower to prevent
them from going to seed and seeding themselves all over the yard. Also, be sure
to get all the roots; if you don't, the weed will more than likely be back in a
couple of weeks.
I hope this guide can help you in controlling your weeds. The key to getting and
staying weed free is persistence. You have to stay on top of it by checking your
gardens regularly and maintaining what needs to be done.
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