Garden Bed Weeds
Weed Control Using Horticultural Methods
First of all, plant shrubs and bedding plants close together (while keeping in mind the plant’s height and width at maturity). The idea is to see no patches of soil!
A longer-term solution for controlling weeds lies in designing out weed habitats as we have just mentioned. This treats the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms. If you are waiting for garden plants to mature and fill in those spaces, clear weeds from the areas and apply a 3" to 4" mulch layer, eventually your plantings will cover the mulched areas. Over time the mulch layer will degrade, adding nutrients to your soil – the downside is that with that goes your weed barrier.
Permanent weed control is the goal and you can reach this goal by planting a landscape with a variety of suitable plant material that form a multi-layered groundcover within which weeds cannot get established.
Morning Glory is a pesky vine which will twine its way through your garden, covering ornamental plants and trees almost to the point of smothering them. These invasive roots know no property boundaries and will find their way under your neighbour’s fence but it can also be introduced by seed. This perennial weed prefers loose organic soils with roots that travel long distances just under the soil surface so control really lies in removing the root system. Hand weeding can remove large quantities of roots, but remember that broken pieces are capable of sprouting new growth – the key is to keep on top of it and keep pulling new growth out. As well, repeated, persistent rototilling or flame weeding as the new growth sprouts can deplete the food reserves and allow a groundcover to compete successfully.