5 All-Natural Ways to Keep Your Garden Bed Weed-Free
Planting is a pleasant thing, but there is also the great headache of weeds that keep popping up no matter how much they are removed. One of the most effective weed-control methods is to plant in metal raised garden beds. What are some other simple and easy methods for weed control? This article has some tips to help you control weed growth and, even better, remove weeds to make gardening life easier.
What is the best time of year to remove weeds?
Weeding is generally more appropriate and effective in controlling their spread in the spring and fall.
Spring is the season when almost all the weeds come together. Overwintering weeds will enter the vigorous growth stage as temperatures gradually rise. Weeding should be done before the weeds sprout. We will undoubtedly achieve twice the results with half the effort if we take weed control action during this time.
Many people believe that once autumn arrives and the temperature drops, weeds will cease to grow and eventually die. Weeding then appears to be an unnecessary task.
In fact, autumn is an excellent time to prevent weeds from seeding. Weeding in the fall effectively reduces the rate of weed seeding, which greatly reduces weed emergence in the following year and simplifies garden management.
Tips for effective weed control
Eradicating weeds
Removing weeds with a rake or shovel is one of the easiest methods. Remove weeds from the raised bed or around the garden bit by bit with a gardening shovel. This method can remove weeds more effectively, but it requires more energy and time. When removing weeds, make a concerted effort to dig out all of the roots, taking care not to leave any remnants of the roots in case they re-grow. Sometimes the reason why weeds are removed for a while and then grow back after a few days is that they were not removed cleanly enough.
Mid to late September is a good time to get rid of weeds when the environment is dry, as this promotes rapid weed shrinkage and death. Some experienced gardeners will remove weeds in the morning when there is sunlight, allowing the weeds to wilt quickly.
Removing flowers and seeds
You can pull out all the flowers when the weeds are blooming or setting seeds, because the weed will multiply and spread once it has flowered. Some gardeners like to use weeds for composting. Although weed composting is a recyclable process, there is still a risk of weed seeds spreading. But that doesn't mean you can't use weeds for composting. Freshly cut weeds can be packed in black plastic bags, weighed with enough water to keep them moist, and stored in a sunny location for a few days. When the temperature is high and there is no air circulation, the weed seeds are easily killed. Then, place it in a sealed container for composting.
Using metal garden beds
One of the benefits of metal raised garden beds, as we all know, is that they can effectively control weeds without the use of any chemical raw materials. Metal garden beds work by isolating and elevating specific planting areas so that weeds in the garden do not affect the crops inside the garden bed. Furthermore, padding the bottom of the metal garden bed with cardboard or fibre cloth prevents rodents from entering the garden bed, which is both weed-proof and critter-proof.
Weeds on the outside of the raised garden bed are easier to remove, but what about the inside? Like bird droppings or wind-blown weed seeds, they can quickly spread throughout the garden bed.
Weeds are relatively easy to control, whether inside or outside the garden bed. Beginning with the garden bed filler, add organic pest-free dead wood, compost, and soil, followed by 2-3 inches of mulch. Weed infestation can be easily eliminated step by step, layer by layer. Mulch's primary function is to effectively block light penetration into the soil, preventing weeds from absorbing sunlight to grow while protecting plant roots. As a result, weed seeds brought by foreign factors fall on the garden bed, making it more difficult to grow.
Putting mulch
Mulch is something that every family uses in their gardens, and there are many different kinds of mulch. When mulch is spread on the ground, both inorganic and organic mulch can be used. Organic mulch is preferable for use in the garden bed.
Organic mulch-wood bark
Organic mulch, such as wood bark, can help to keep the soil cool and moist while preventing weed growth. A proper 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch on the soil benefits the plants while also inhibiting weed growth and attracting insects such as crickets, which can feed on various weed seeds. The overall appearance of the garden is beautiful and neat, whether the organic mulch is placed on the surface of the raised garden bed or on the ground.
Inorganic mulch-black plastic film
A layer of biodegradable black plastic film is placed on the bottom of the raised garden bed to prevent weed growth and retain heat and moisture. Plants grown in the ground can also benefit from the use of plastic film. To avoid covering up the rhizomes of the seeds, wait for the rhizomes of plants grown in the ground to grow before covering them. Weeds are inhibited by plastic film, so even if the weed seeds have grown up inside the soil, they will not grow properly if there is insufficient light and space.
Reducing wet areas
Reducing wet areas and creating drought does not mean not watering the plants, but making fuller use of your water resources and not wasting them. The garden's edges are a perfect breeding ground for weeds, and if they get enough water, they will definitely grow more weeds. So when we water, we use a soft hose to water the plants' roots rather than the entire garden. This will cause some of the weeds in the corners to lose moisture, reducing the area where weeds can grow.
Chemical weed control vs. physical weed control
Chemical weeding does more harm than good.
Weeding can be done physically (by hand) or chemically (by spraying herbicides). With the rising cost of labour, most people choose to use chemical herbicides when weeding. Herbicides used correctly can control weed growth quickly and effectively, whereas improper use can easily cause problems such as soil clogging and environmental pollution.
Physical weed control is safer.
Weeding itself is a time-consuming process, and labour costs are rising. However, physical weeding is more popular among the general public, who use their own labour to obtain the most healthy and organic fruit.
Weeding is a job that seems to be cyclical, and persistent weeding of the garden will pay off. Removing weeds when they first appear, after they sprout, or before they take root is far less time-consuming than dealing with them when they are rampant. Of course, you can reduce the workload by using weed killer or fertilizer. But doing so will almost certainly result in some garden pollution, so if you want a green, organic, ecological garden, an all-natural approach may be preferable.
