Eight Ways to Weed More Efficiently
You love gardening, but sometimes you feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of weeding you have to do. Here are some simple tips that will make weeding lighter and more efficient.
Avoid Digging Up the Surface
There are weed seeds lying just beneath the surface of the ground. All they require are the right conditions such as exposure to light and air. When you dig up the ground, you're doing just that—creating the right atmosphere for weed growth. So let the ground sleep.
Use Mulch
Mulching does not just prevent moisture loss; it stifles the growth of weeds by depriving them of light. Keep the mulch thick enough to block light but not so thick as to block oxygen. The best thickness is about 2 inches.
Use Different Styles for Different Weather
When the ground is drenched, like after heavy rainfall, it is easier to simply pull out the weeds by hand. In dry weather, use a hoe to remove the weeds, and then cover the bare patches with mulch.
Move the weeds from the garden to avoid the spread of weed seeds. Use the weeds to make compost.
Chop off Heads
If you are getting overwhelmed by the sheer growth of weeds and don't have time to weed, simply chop off their heads.
This should be ideally before they start seeding. This will limit their ability to bear seed and spread.
Direct Your Watering
During the rainy season, rain water will feed both your plants and weeds. There's nothing much you can do about that. But in dry weather, there's no need for you to feed weeds.
Direct your watering to what you need. The best way to achieve this is to use drip irrigation or soakers rather than sprinklers.
Reduce your Spacing
If you are dealing with plants that are not prone to foliar disease, consider reducing the spacing between them. When plants are close together, they create a shade on the ground that limits the growth of weeds.
Add Salt
If you have weeds growing on unwanted surfaces such as pavements and driveways, table salt will come to your rescue. Sprinkle some salt at the roots of the plants you want to remove.
Be careful not to use it on your garden, though. Only use it on those areas where you want nothing to ever grow again.
Weeding does not have to be a thankless chore. With the right techniques, it can be productive and efficient. Such techniques include mulching, pulling off weeds in wet weather, reducing plant spacing, and selective watering, among others. If you still need help with your weeding, call your local, residential landscaping services.
Share