|
|
Easy Weed Control Tips for the Sunday GardenerMar 25 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Garden
The Bottom Line Weed control can be made easy using methods other than chemical applications. There are several tips I have found useful in keeping weeds to a minimum in the garden.
If you are like me and only have time to tend to your garden on the weekend, then you well understand what a nuisance weeds in the garden can be. It seems as though the minute you get them out of your garden, they start reappearing all over the place again. I have found several helpful tips to keep weeds at a minimum, without spending a lot of time in the garden. Your weed control plan will depend on what type of garden you have. You may have a garden planted on flat ground (flowers, shrubs, or vegetables), or you may have a garden planted on rows. TIPS FOR FLAT GROUND GARDENS: Weed Mat One good way to prevent weeds from popping up in your garden it to install weed mat when the bed is first prepared for planting. Weed mat is sold at most garden centers, in gardening catalogs, and on the internet. Simply spread the mat over your flower bed or garden, tack it down (the tacks usually come with the matting), and cover with mulch, wood chips, or rock. When you want to plant a flower, shrub, or vegetable plant, simply remove covering from an area and cut a hole in the mat. This is easiest when planting potted plants and shrubs. It can be a pain to plant seeds in a garden/bed with weed matting. Another negative of weed mat is that it can be very expensive. Mulch or Wood Chips An alternative to weed mat is to use only mulch or wood chips to choke out weeds. Chemicals I strongly advise against the use of chemicals for the purpose of weed control in gardens, especially in vegetable gardens. Not only can the poisons harm your plants or pets, but they can harm you as well. If weeds are out of control, and you wish to use a chemical, there are two different garden-grade chemicals that I recommend. If you want to eliminate weeds from a bed or garden that is overtaken by weeds in order to replant, use Preen. This chemical will destroy all of the weeds (AND PLANTS) in the area. You have to wait a couple of weeks after application to plant anything (see directions). For spot elimination of weeds, use premixed Roundup in the spray bottle. This chemical is relatively inexpensive and works quite well on pesky weeds. Just make sure not to spray anything you want to keep. TIPS FOR ROW GARDENS: Typically, it is best to pull your garden into rows if you wish to plant vegetables. Although mulch and weed mat can be used, I have found that a good potato or garden rake is most effective in controlling weeds in your vegetable garden. All you have to do is rake the weeds down once a week. For the sides of the rows, use an up and down stroke with the rake. This not only pulls up the weeds, but areates the soil, promoting healthier plants. You can also use selective herbicides that will kill weeds, but not your vegetable plants. Make sure to always read the labels to see how long you have to wait to harvest vegetables after application. Last but not least, there is the tried and true method of pulling up weeds by hand. Although very time consuming, pulling weeds can be relaxing and gratifying if you take pride in your garden.  |
| Write the first comment on this review! |
|
Ads by Google
|
