Managing Weeds

Managing weeds in a way that does not harm the soil, insects, plants etc. requires knowledge, skill and perseverance. There are different types of weeds and you need to be able to recognize the weeds that are harmful.

You can apply basic easy to manage methods to control weeds. Cover bare soil with three layers of wooden mulch this will prevent the weeds from sprouting in the soil making it easy to pull out. You can put layers of newspaper underneath the mulch if you are not going to plant anything in a specified area. Water the beds and surrounding areas for at least 24 hours before weeding. Afterwards pull out the weeds with their roots to stop them from regenerating.

Try to get rid of weeds when they are small. Do weeding at least once a week and use a garden hoe to clear the smaller weeds. If you have an excessive quantity of weeds on your lawn or in a specific area smother them with cardboard. Cut the grass then place the cardboard on top. Wet the lawn down and after a few weeks you can replace the grass.

Be careful not to overdo the weeding process. Some weeds are beneficial for the garden’s ecosystem. Clover for example improves the soil and dandelions are edible. Some weeds nectar acts as a source for pollinators. The key is to know which weeds contribute to the garden’s ecological existence.

The measures that you put in place to manage the weeds in your garden is determined by the type of organic garden you have. A wildlife garden requires less weed management and a vegetable garden more. Controlling weeds in the garden must be part of your weekly gardening routine. There is no need to make the techniques complicated keep things simple.