How to Control Mature Weeds

Are the weeds in your garden out of control? We've got good news and bad news. First, the bad news. Removing mature weeds (weeds that have gone to seed) will take a month or more and require some hard work. The good news is once you have them removed the next generation will be easy to control. Here's how to take control.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Manure
• Compost Makers
• Garden Hoses
• Hand Cultivators
• Lawn Mowers
• Mulch
• Rototillers
• Shovels
• Soil Polymers
• Weed Killers
• Edger/trimmers And Accessories

1. Remove the top growth of mature weeds (weeds that have formed seeds) from large areas with a lawnmower or a string trimmer. Do not compost the top growth unless your compost pile heats up enough to sterilize the seeds. (Unsterilized seeds will germinate and grow.) Rinse the machine once you have finished to prevent spreading weed seeds.
2. Turn the soil over with a shovel (the hard way) or with a rototiller (the easy way). Dig down into the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Remove any large roots or rocks you find in the soil.
3. Water the soil. This will germinate the next generation of weeds left from the fallen seeds. This step will take 7 to 21 days. Keep the soil moist at all times.
4. Remove the young weeds that germinate by cultivating the soil to disturb the roots or by spraying a nonselective herbicide such as Round-Up or Finale.
5. Repeat steps three and four to remove any remaining weeds from the area.
6. Turn the soil one final time, adding organic compost, rotted manure or other soil amendments to improve the nutrient value and texture of the soil.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the mature weeds have been removed, plant and lay down a thick layer of mulch. Mulch shades the surface of the soil and prevents moisture loss, keeps soil temperatures even, and most importantly, prevents weed seeds from germinating.
• You can also dig mature weeds by hand. Make sure to dig all of the roots if the weed is a perennial variety such as dandelion or dock.
• Use herbicides only as a last resort and always according to label directions. Herbicides work best on immature weeds (those that have not gone to seed).

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