How do you get rid of weeds in your garden?

[Nascar88]

You should take the same black stuff you put under the dirt and use it on top. Cover the planting area with it, then cut holes in the spots you want to plant... Will help out alot.

Everytime I go out to water, I will pull even the smallest of new weed growth a before you know it, they are out of control...

[sleppla1682]

We tried the white, "weed cover" fabric stuff over a row for peas this year. We laid it down, and then poked/cut "x's" to plant the seedlings in. It has worked awesome, the plants are growing like crazy- but the weird thing is, there are weeds galore underneath!! We thought they would just grow as they could and eventually smother and die underneath the fabric, but they appear to be growing well! They don't seem to have any effect on the pea plants.

I also bought a "weed-weasel-ly" thing, it is like a roller with a bunch of sharp tines on it. I think it sounds like a great idea, and so far, if it's just weedy plants and softer soil, it does seem to get a lot of them up. It has no effect on little tree seedlings and grass however. Those seem to just slide through the tines.

Anyway, the method that has worked the best so far is to back down between the raised mounds/rows using a kneeling pad, and just clear them out by hand. This works great in the morning or after a good rain. Muddy, but easier to pull.

[tammyinwv]

I have a small kitchen garden about 20x25. There are raised beds filled with well composted horse manure, some vermiculite and this yr I added a bag of Miracle grow garden soil with plant food to each bed. This stuff is great. Just a quick hoe to loosen, and pull a handfull of weeds from each bed beginning of season. In a regular garden they are a constant problem. Especially in my flower beds.One yr I used the wet newspaper around my flowers then mulch and it did very well. I didnt have a prob with mice, but then I also have a couple of cats.
Tammy

[Rene S]

I generally remove weeds by hand and don't like to use chemicals either.

I'm surprised no one mentioned using Preen as a preventative. You mix it into the soil to prevent weed seed germination.

That being said, newspapers are a good choice, easily replaceable, and free.

[thickbluebug]

Hate the field mice as bad as I hate the weeds.

Since we have strays in the area

- I am trying newspaper again.

Thick like 6 to 10 sheets to a pile and over lap it.

[cody82414]

Lasagna Garden - How to Make a Lasagna Garden

there's a book on this lasagna method
(layering newspapers)

one can also throw grass cuttings on top of the soil periodically as you mow

[thickbluebug]

Yep did that one, that's how I got rats/mice. We saw them playing in the garden. Nothing grew in it for me - but I thought I might have stunted my seedlings b4 I planted them.

This year I did raised boxes. Everything looks good.

The stray cats probably ran off all the mice - don't see any now.

We are planning on doing some in ground planting in the lasagna spot soon.
I have grass growing back in it - or trying to - so I am putting more news paper down to get rid of it. Maybe it will be easy to dig up - or at least that was the claim to the lasagna type - it makes loose compost.