Weeds in the Garden!
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Weeds in the Garden!

by Jan Ujvari
(Kewaunee, Wi)

What can I put on the ground in my garden to keep the weeds down? I spend 3/4 of my day pulling weeds!! Help.


Doug says the single best thing to control weeds is a 3-4 inch layer of mulch. It does far more than just stop weeds (most of them anyway).

It holds in soil moisture so your plants get through droughts better.

Reduces your water bill

Deteriorates (always use organic mulches that will break down) to feed the soil and keep plants healthy. Inorganic mulches such as rubber tires are actually proving out to be toxic (they won't let you dump tires in landfill because they're toxic but you can chew them up and spread them on your garden or playground... duh!)

Looks good.

But the big thing in my garden world is that a 3-4 inch layer of mulch will cut weeding back by 80-90%

Comments for
Weeds in the Garden!

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SLUG'S commit suicide in Beer
by: Mona Lisa Abbott

If you want to kill slugs, put a saucer type container of beer where you want to get rid of them, and they will drown themselves in the beer.
paper bags
by: Helen

I use paper grocery bags under my mulch as I felt the newspaper ink made my veggies taste funny.
Clever weed killers
by: Barbara Kantz

I use newspapers everywhere in my garden. In some places I keep them think (if the area is prone to weeds) and in other areas I'll use one layer. First of all the papers biodegrade over time, hold in more moisture than just bark mulch and it is a green form of weed killing. Of course I thoroughly mulch the entire area after I lay down the papers. Mulch is the finishing touch to any garden! I was always in a quandry what to do with old greeting cards. I still have the cards from my wedding 27 years ago! Who can toss out those "get well", "sympathy" and I love you cards from family and friends......I use them as a layer in my garden also......with all of those wonderful thoughts in my ground I believe my plants are even growing happier....give it a try, and it is fun "tripping down memory lane" as you lay each one down!
Mulches
by: Carolyn

Although I understand the value of mulching, I have found it to be a haven and breeding ground for slugs, which decimated my garden this year. How do you create a balance?

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