weeding in the garden

Ask any gardener their least favorite chore, and most will say “weeding.” After all, it’s a lot more fun to watch the flowers you cultivated bloom than to see pesky unwanted plants return again and again. Remove those weeds in your yard or garden – and keep them from growing back – with these four easy tips.

Slash the Overgrowth

If you inherited an overgrown lawn, you can start the daunting task by trimming the weeds with a long-handled implement. This will help you see what you’re up against and create a plan of attack.

A Deluxe Weed Cutter can clear away tall grass and other vegetation in no time.

Get to the Roots

The remainder of your weeding will require more concentrated effort, so get any frustrations out during the whacking stage.

Pull weeds out of the ground from the roots. This is generally the best method to prevent regrowth. When it comes to annual weeds like crabgrass and chickweed, cutting them at the soil line with a sharp hoe will do the trick.

For perennials, such as dandelions, you’ll ideally wait until you’ve had a good rainfall. The damp soil gives up the roots better than dry, hard dirt, so you won’t have to exert yourself as much.

An easy-to-use stand-up weeder grabs unwanted plants and tears out their roots without making you bend over.

After you’ve rid your garden, lawn and walkway of the obvious weeds, you might encounter more as you’re planting. An easy solution? Keep a garden fork or trowel handy for easy removal of baby weeds.

A trowel and cultivator are handy weeders for small garden beds.

Use an Herbicide

Sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to pull every weed from your yard. Herbicides can fulfill your need for a quick fix, but take care how and where you use them. Wear protective clothing, including goggles and gloves, and never spray when it’s windy. Also, follow the instructions on the bottle – and keep it locked away when not in use.

If you prefer to forgo commercially available weedkillers, mix up an earth-friendly herbicide of a gallon of white vinegar, a cup of salt and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap.

Prevent Future Growth

A few weeks before you plan to start planting, begin retilling the soil. This will expose any weed seeds that are beneath the surface. They should germinate within a week. Then, till the soil again to kill those sprouts and uncover new ones. Repeat the process a few times to lower the number of weeds that will grow in your new garden.

Lay down a three-inch layer of mulch over any beds you’re not planning to use in the near future. This will suppress any weeds from taking hold. You can also plant a cover crop, like rye grass or clover, at the end of the planting season.

Adding mulch to unplanted areas of your yard looks attractive and helps prevent weeds.

Weeds pose challenges to even the most seasoned gardener, but these tips can help you stave off the worst of the invaders so that you can enjoy your lawn year-round.