How to Control Weeds

Controlling weeds usually takes more time than any other gardening chore--check out these tips to control your garden

If weeds have already taken charge, you've got plenty of work ahead, depending on the type of weed.

Mulch, mulch, mulch. Weeds are plants and they need light to grow. Deprive them of that light. Vigorous weeds will grow up through pine-bark mulch and similar mulches and also creep in from the sides. The best strategy is to lay 8 to 10 sheets of newspaper down first (or use a landscape fabric), and then put the loose mulch on top. To prevent the weeds and grasses from creeping in from the sides, take the time to install edging.

When you're installing new landscape beds, space plants close enough together so that at maturity they'll crowd out, and shade out, weeds without crowding each other. Try to keep the weeds from going to seed by removing or mowing them before they form seedheads.

Finally remember to keep after them with continuous rooting out--most persistent weeds can eventually be squelched if you keep robbing them of their energy stores.

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