Controlling weeds can be one of the most frustrating parts of gardening. They pop up overnight and can quickly take over your beautiful flowers and vegetables if left unchecked. However, you can gain the upper hand over these pesky invaders with the proper techniques and tools. This article unveils some secrets to help you effectively stop weeds and keep your garden lush and thriving.
Start with Prevention
Stopping weeds before they start is the most effective weed control strategy. This means taking preventative measures to ensure your garden soil is as weed-free as possible.
Use Mulch
Spreading mulch 2-4 inches thick over all your garden beds at the start of each season prevents light from reaching weed seeds in the soil, which stops them from germinating. Organic mulches like wood chips, leaves, straw or bark break down over time, enriching your soil. Inorganic mulches like stones or pebbles don’t improve the soil but create an effective weed barrier.
Solarise the Soil
Solarising garden beds involves moistening the soil, covering it with a clear plastic tarp and leaving it to “cook” under the sun for 4-6 weeks. This heat treatment kills weed seeds and seedlings already in the soil so they won’t plague you later. Preparing beds for the following spring planting is best done at the end of one growing season.
Crowd out Weeds
Make sure you space your garden plants close together. Thick planting doesn’t allow light to penetrate the soil level, which prevents weed seeds from sprouting. It also makes the soil harder for germinating seeds to break through. For example, spreading fast-growing annual rye grass seed thickly over your vegetable rows in fall crowds out light and smothers early spring weeds.
Identify Common Garden Weeds
Knowing the most common garden weed culprits makes it easier to eradicate them. Here are five of the most pesky garden invaders:
Dandelions
With their bright yellow flowers and fluffy seed heads, dandelions aggressively spread through yards and gardens from wind-blown seeds and deep taproots that regenerate if left behind in the soil.
Crabgrass
This quick-growing annual grass forms dense low mats with coarse vertical stems and leaves. It sprouts from shallow roots, so it is easy to pull, but it also spreads rapidly from prolific seed production if left to mature.
Creeping Charlie
Also called ground ivy, the small green leaves of creeping Charlie form a dense creeping mat that chokes out other plants. It spreads rapidly through minced stems that root easily at nodes.
Purslane
Succulent and shiny purslane has reddish prostrate stems and small yellow flowers. It tolerates poor soil, spreads quickly and produces up to 240,000 seeds per large plant.
Lamb’s Quarters
A common edible weed with a whitish coating on its leaves and stems, lamb’s quarters is very aggressive thanks to prolific seed production. It germinates continually all summer long and develops a large taproot.
Employ Organic Weed Control Methods
Using organic weed control techniques minimises the need for chemical herbicides, which can also damage garden plants and the beneficial soil ecosystem. Here are some effective organic options:
Sheet Mulching
Smother weeds by thickly covering areas with overlapping and layered newspaper or cardboard before adding mulch. This blocks light, which kills existing weeds and prevents new ones. Wetting the layers makes it heavier and tighter.
Corn Gluten Meal
This organic fertiliser inhibits weed seed germination, so applying it pre-emptively in beds and paths at the start of the growing season prevents weeds. Reapply every 2-3 weeks on established plants since corn gluten meal provides nitrogen fertilisation, too.
Boiling Water
Pouring freshly boiled water directly on weed growth kills it immediately upon contact. Take care not to splash valued plants and allow for some regrowth, which you’ll need to retreat. This is best for large established weeds growing in cracks and gravelly areas.
Vinegar
Spray full-strength, undiluted white or cider vinegar on weeds on a hot sunny day for quick desiccation. Use an applicator shield to prevent contacting wanted plants with this non-selective, short-term weed killer. Results only last 2-3 weeks, so you must reapply.
Manual Removal
Don’t forget good old hand weeding! Uproot weeds by pulling when soil is moist for intact root removal before they go to seed. Use a fork or spade to remove deep-rooted perennial weeds. Mulch areas after weeding to discourage new weeds. Be persistent!
Employ Chemical Herbicides Responsibly
While organic methods are ideal, sometimes chemical assistance is warranted for large-scale infestations. When using chemical weed killers, do so sparingly and according to label directions to minimise risks.
Know Your Weeds
Correct weed identification ensures you choose the suitable herbicide and application timing. Broadleaf weed killers won’t work against grass weeds or vice versa. Kill annuals before seed production and attack perennials when storing energy in roots.
Minimise Drift
Don’t spray on windy days to avoid herbicide drift onto desirable plants. Use coarse spray nozzles, keep pressure low and stand close to target weeds. Avoid contacting green stems and leaves of wanted plants.
Spot Treat
Spray weed killers directly onto problem weeds rather than entire areas to limit the extent and amount used. Selective rather than non-selective herbicides reduce risks to valued plants. Cover and protect any wanted vegetation nearby.
Alternate Modes of Action
Rotate using weed killers with different active ingredients to prevent weeds from developing resistance. For example, glyphosate-resistant weeds proliferate where Roundup has been repeatedly used alone. Include non-chemical control methods for the most effective long-term, integrated weed management.
Controlling garden weeds takes effort and persistence but pays off all season long by letting your landscape plants and edibles thrive weed-free. Follow this advice to help deter these pesky intruders from invading your garden beds and borders. Stay vigilant in weed control efforts, and you’ll reap beautiful results. For professional weed control services in the Calgary area, contact Weed Control in Calgary to help keep your garden free of unwanted invaders.
