Weeds drive me crazy. I can always find weeds, even after I’ve finished weeding.
Weeds are opportunistic. When weeds find a new place to move in, they will. Weeds can grow to a size where they choke out plants. They also steal valuable nutrients and water from the plants they surround.
In a garden setting, cultivating soil, renovating a garden bed or creating a new garden bed will create a space for weeds to grow — especially weeds that tend to be invasive, exotic weeds.
As an avid perennial plant gardener, I am always looking for ways to eliminate weeds from my garden beds.
A gardener should consider snipping not ripping a weed out of the ground. Ripping a weed out of the ground creates a new soil disturbance which just invites more weeds. Snipping a weed off at ground level may be a better way to control it because it will prevent the weed from going to seed, and also weaken it.
Native plants and plants that adapt well to your particular soil and weather conditions are another great way to combat weeds. Native plants or plants that adapt well to your particular soil and weather will require less water. Watering encourages the growth of everything — including weeds!
Diversity of plants will also inhibit weed growth.
A fast-growing plant like black-eyed Susan will quickly cover the ground, and as that plant fades and slower growing perennial like wild indigo planted at the same time will begin to persist.
Rather than uproot a sapling or other large plant that has grown up amongst your perennial plants, just the tree or weed back to the root. The desired species will overshadow the cut stump or root inhibiting further growth.
Sometimes there are weeds that insist on growing back, and that’s mostly because those strong weeds have the ability to store food in their roots. Rhizomatous or tap-rooted plants have vigorous root systems. Some sucker plants actually benefit from being cut back and will come back with increased vigor. In these cases, using a little herbicide on the root can stop the unwanted plant. Sometimes more than one application of herbicide is required, too.
A side benefit to pulling weeds in perennial flowers beds may be the migration of wanted perennial plants. Perennial wildflowers can cast their seed into areas disturbed by pulling weeds, growing new perennial plants and serving as another way to choke out unwanted weeds.
Hopefully in your weed control, you’re able to work with nature. You can use moisture, or the lack thereof, to your advantage. Some well placed herbicide and mulch can squelch undesired plant material. Snipping instead of ripping and coaxing the plants you want into spreading can make your garden space less work overall.
Questions or comments related to gardening? Contact Joleen at missourigardener@hotmail.com.