Weeding is by far the number one biggest pain in the garden. The digging and scavenging for weeds is a chore that all gardeners wish they didn’t have to do. However, here are six inexpensive tips for maintaining your garden weed-free!

Mulch!

Did you know mulch can help keep your garden stay weed-free?  Adding a layer of mulch in your garden beds keeps the soil cool and suppresses weeds by depriving them of light and heat, where they thrive.

Prevention!

Preen is a great product to keep weed seeds from germinating. Simply apply after you’ve weeded the bed (and ideally at the beginning of the growing season) and re-apply every 9 to 12 weeks.
When using Preen, be sure to read the label to identify plants it can be used around.

Pull ‘em when they’re young!

Be sure to pull weeds when they’re just sprouts.  It’s much easier to pull them while their roots are shallow and before they get intertwined with the plants you want to keep. Use a trowel to help dig out those hard-to-pull roots so you get them all.

Water before you weed!

When the ground is wet, the soil around the weeds is looser, making them easier to pull without leaving the roots behind.  Remember, when you weed, you want to pull the roots out too, so they don’t continue to grow back.

Do a little each day!

Weeding can be a big project, so take it in steps. Plan it over the course of a weekend or a week, depending on how big this project is. Focus on one small section of the garden at a time to make the job more manageable. Once one section is cleared you will be more motivated to keep going.

Give those tight spaces a spray!

For cracks in driveways or patios, spray weeds and soil with Round 365 or Bayer DuraZone.  This will kill the weeds that are there and prevent more from growing for up to a year.

Save the digging and scavenging for the archeologists. Give yourself an easy-to-manage weed-free garden with these tips, so you spend more time enjoying your garden. For more ways to keep your garden weed-free visit any English Gardens location and ask an expert.