You cannot afford to let weeds grow in your beds as they deprive your plants of water, nutrients and sunlight. The annoying weeds have to go. Some wild herbs persist even after you spray them with herbicides or pull them out by hand. Then the question is reasonable: What to do about weeds in the bed?
As you remove some weeds from the soil, they may release their seeds. Some plants can resist weed killers because they have a deep root system that allows them to grow again. On the contrary: weed prevention is more effective than weed control when it comes to flower and vegetable beds. Below you will discover helpful tips on how you can remove the wild weeds without poison.
Are weeds dangerous for beds?
The bad news for plants is that weeds – or any other unwanted plant – are very competitive. The rapid growth, rooting and prolific seed production of weeds can soon overwhelm vegetable and flower beds, depriving your beautiful plants of the space, water, light and nutrients they need to thrive. Plant growth is stunted and crops and gardens are ruined by weeds. Unfortunately, many weed seeds are buried, allowing them to persist from one growing season to the next.
Weeding should be done at least once a week, or more often depending on the weather. In most cases, weeding is more effective in the warmer months of spring and summer. However, if you prefer to weed in the morning or early evening when the sun is not directly overhead, you can avoid the heat. Time spent pulling weeds out of beds will be time well spent if you want your beds to remain healthy and attractive.
Weeding wild weeds
With a hoe you can quickly remove several small weed plants without having to bend or kneel. Lightweight garden hoes are ideal for getting into those inaccessible places between the plants in your garden. To remove weeds, simply push the leaf slightly below the soil surface.
Treating weeds with deep roots
There are some weed plants that cannot be gotten rid of using the hoeing method. For weeds with deep or particularly thick root systems, a more targeted strategy and good equipment are required. For example, to remove the roots of dandelions, you need a garden knife or a weed wrench. You may also need a thin spade to dig up weeds such as bindweed, which have strong, deep roots. Then always throw the wild weeds in the trash, not in the compost. So have a bucket ready for weeds.
Mulch your beds
You can't always rely on digging to control weeds. Another strategy to prevent weed seeds from germinating is to use a physical barrier, such as mulch. This top layer of soil, which blocks out light, may consist of organic waste, bark chips, gravel, or other materials that are freely accessible.
Gravel is an excellent material for garden beds, but can be very costly when used in large areas. The mulching film is inexpensive, but ugly and a paradise for snails and slugs. Mulching with bark chips or cocoa shells is the best solution. They deter slugs and reduce weed growth at the same time. Above all, they reduce evaporation on the surface and ensure that rainwater reaches the plant roots.
Use weed control fabric
You can prevent weeds from overgrowing your garden by placing weed control fabric in the beds before planting. The fabric strips should overlap at the ends by 8 to 15 centimeters, and you should secure the edges with ground anchors. Then mark the spot where you want to plant each plant by cutting out an X. The fleece should not be covered with soil and should not lie close to the plant. Finally, you can cover the bed area with mulch.
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Cornmeal is a miracle weapon
Many people buy this natural remedy to keep weeds in check in their garden. In order for it to be effective, it must be applied exactly when the weeds start to grow in spring. If you would like thatYour flower and vegetable bedsTo look optimal, you should first dig up the ground and pull out all the weed seeds. To control weed plants in the garden, sprinkle cornmeal evenly but not too heavily. After treating the area, you should water it well. Repeat the treatment after a few weeks or if necessary. In order for cornmeal to be effective, you usually have to use it for a few years.
Sow ground cover plants
To keep weeds at bay, plant some ground covers that grow thick and lush and block the sun's rays from reaching the ground. Weeds cannot thrive in an area where plants block sunlight. The first step is to clear the area of weed plants. Next, choose a ground-cover plant that suits your gardening style and the conditions in your area. Keep in mind that this technique will not work if the plant does not adequately cover the soil, so choose a plant that is well suited to your region.
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