Weeding successfully here in SWFL is challenging because weeds never freeze and die. Our weeds have learned to be resilient by surviving both Winter drought and Summer downpours.
Here is what I have learned about weeding.
Remove weeds before they set seed. Otherwise they distribute millions of seeds throughout the garden and lawn. Hopefully your neighbor's are willing to do the same or this can be an uphill battle.
Weeding plants with mature seed. Use great care by cutting off the seed head and place in a bag to prevent dropping seeds on the soil. Then remove weed plant.
Pulling weeds with their roots. It is almost always easier to weed when the soil is moist. A weed digger helps with deep vertical roots when arthritic hands refuse to assist you.
Click here to see my favorite root digger/saw. It does rust because I abuse it, but I still love it.
Using a hoe. Hoe weeds on a mornings when the soil is dry and there is no expected rain that day. REMOVE hoed weeds that have started to set seeds so they don't release their seeds in your garden. Many hoed weeds can survive if the soil is moist or becomes moist in 24 hours.
Click here to see my favorite standing hoe. Click here to see my beloved hand hoe.
Hoeing and digging exposes weed seeds that have been sleeping. In areas that have been neglected, consider carefully snipping the weeds just below the surface of the soil so that the soil is minimally disturbed.
What to do with weeds-with-seeds. Place weeds-with-seeds in the trash not with your yard waste. Yard waste is made into mulch that is then provided free to the public. Seeds can be killed with solarization or a very hot compost pile. They can also be baked outside in a crock pot overnight (outside because of the smell) according to Fine Gardening.
I am going to try the crock pot out!
Mark your calendar. Keep up with weeding and you will weed less in the long run. Mark on your calendar to weed once a week for a short period of time and you will not end up with a huge job four times a year.
If the weed is too large to remove or you are physically unable to remove. If you can't get the weed out, keep it from reproducing by removing the flower/seed head. This won't kill the weed but it won't be able to reproduce either. Keep an eye on it though, as it might send up another flower/seed head.
Mulch. If all weeds in the area have been kept under control, mulching can help. Mulching won't help much if you cannot keep weeds-with-seeds under control. Seeds grow in mulch too!
Using paper as a weed block in the garden. Remove all weeds especially the ones that creep underground. Cover area with clean cardboard (remove tape) or many layers of newspaper that will decompose and attract worms, then cover with mulch. If the underground creeping plants are not removed/killed they will return from below. Do this on a day with low wind or you will be chasing paper everywhere.
Color sections of the newspaper are fine to use in the garden, they are soy-based. Don't use plastic coated cartons or metallic inks in the garden. Shred your important copier documents and add them to as a layer so strangers don't get a hold of them.
Agricultural Vinegar. Works well to "knock down" some weeds, but it does not necessarily kill them. It also makes the soil more acid which can be a good or bad thing depending on your soil. This strong vinegar can kill good plants too so use with care. Agricultural vinegar does not work as Roundup does and it is quite expensive compared to other weed killers.
Since I have yet to find this locally, I buy it here.
Perennial living ground covers. These work very well around fruit trees in SWFL. Perennial peanut is my #1 favorite because it fixes nitrogen into the soil plus the flowers are edible. Brazilian spinach is another beautiful looking year-round favorite eaten raw or cooked. Mint also works but can get out of control if not contained.
Tight plant spacing. Block out the sun and keep weeds down. Thick plantings, even ground covers, help with keeping weed seeds from seeing the light of day.
Wear gloves. Keep the sun rays off, soil off, plus prevent blisters and your hands will thank you. Dollar stores have gloves that wash well (don't put in dryer or they crack) and do the job.
Weeding is exercise. I would much rather be weeding and chatting with my plants than staring off into space at a gym.
Like the mug? Click here. Zazzle has lots of sales so check back if not on sale.
