How to Keep Weeds Out of Garden Beds

Pull weeds before they can set seed and spread.

Weeds are an ongoing battle in many gardens. While there are plenty of herbicides on the market that target various types of weeds, many leave behind chemicals that can damage desired plants. Keeping the weeds out of the beds so they don't become established saves effort and money. Spend a few minutes each week managing the weeds and your beds will be free of these invasive plants.

Things You'll Need

• Mulch
• Trowel
• Herbicide

Instructions

1. Pull weed plants from the garden by hand in late summer, before they begin to form seed heads, and remove weeds from nearby areas so they don't end up in the garden bed.

2. Lay a 3- to 5-inch layer of mulch, such as straw, over the top of the garden bed in late fall. The mulch protects the roots of perennial plants and helps prevent weeds from germinating in early spring.

3. Remove the winter mulch in spring after the desirable plants begin to actively grow. Replace with a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark mulch.

4. Pull weeds from the mulch layer by hand as soon as they appear. For weeds with long tap roots, slide a trowel into the soil next to the plant to help dislodge the root.

5. Treat beds with a pre-emergent herbicide in spring before the weeds begin growing. Apply a herbicide that targets unwanted weeds but is safe for desirable plants in the bed. Follow label instructions for correct application procedures.

Tips & Warnings

• Use edging around all your garden beds to prevent grass and weeds from encroaching. Vinyl, wood and stone edging are options.

• Use a plastic mulch over vegetable beds. Weeds can't penetrate the mulch and vegetables thrive in the warm soil the mulch maintains.

• Avoid herbicide, when possible, once the weeds have already emerged. Herbicides are more likely to damage desirable plants.

References

• Cornell University Extension: Weeds and Your Garden
• Purdue University Extension: Weed Control for the Garden and Landscape