Weeds are every gardener's nemesis. They pop up in the garden or
flowerbed, giving it an unsightly appearance, but they do more than
spoil a garden's appearance. Weeds compete with flowers and vegetables
for necessary moisture and nutrients. The good news is with a seasonal
plan, gardeners can take control of the pesky intruders.
Weeds are easier to remove when they are young and small. Weeding when these pests are at a tender stage makes the task easier and more successful, especially when removing weeds with shallow roots. Removing weeds early also reduces their chance of producing seeds and spreading.
In
the spring, remove young weeds as they first begin to emerge. At this
stage, hoeing is an effective removal method. Hoeing also helps to
aerate the soil. To keep weed growth down, gardeners should hoe around
plants weekly. Mulching around plants is another effective method of
inhibiting weed growth during the growing season.
In summer,
gardeners should watch for weeds that sprout up throughout the warmer
weather. As new weeds grow, gardeners can keep them under control by
hoeing or hand-pulling. For larger areas, or gardens with wide rows, the
gardener can use a rototiller to control weeds as needed.
During fall, gardeners should continue to watch and control weed growth
as they harvest vegetables or tend to flowerbeds. After harvesting
vegetables, gardeners can till the soil under and place black plastic
sheeting over the area to inhibit weed growth during winter and early
spring.
