GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Weeds are very likely number one on the buzzkill list for most gardeners. If allowed to get out of control, folks end up picking more weeds than veggies and the size and quality of the crop can be impacted.
Here are four easy steps to minimizing weeds in your veggie garden, and maximizing your enjoyment this summer.
1. Don’t till
Tilling the soil in the fall or spring actually works to plant any weed seeds that are sitting on the surface of your garden soil. It also can bring up weed seeds that were buried deep to the surface and those will sprout too! Instead, layer some compost on top to add nutrients to the soil.
2. Use mulch
There are several types of mulch, but they all serve the same purpose. Un-dyed wood chips, shredded leaves, straw, weed-free grass clippings and even cardboard work well between and around plants.
- Mulch helps keep moisture in and weed seeds out and can keep soil borne fungus spored from reaching your plant’s leaves.
- It also helps to regulate the soil temperature. This can be important for new plants, especially early in the season.
- A natural mulch will break down over time and add nutrients to your soil to feed your plants.
If you’re not mulching your veggie garden yet… it’s time to jump on the bandwagon.
3. Weed a little bit every day
Tackling the few weeds that do sprout in your garden and pulling a few each day goes a long way toward preventing your garden from turning into an unmanageable jungle.
4. Cover Crop
If you want to add a proactive step to improve your weed-free garden experience even more, plant a fall cover crop!
Buckwheat, annual clover, peas or annual rye are all good choices. Your garden will thank you come spring.
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