How to Make Garden Soil Weed Free
Weeds are the one thing no gardener looks forward to. There are a number of ways to reduce the amount of weeds in your flower beds. Many times, just when you think you have dealt with the weed problem, the weeds come right back. Try some tricks for a weed-free garden.
Investing a weekend to tackle your weed problem early in the spring will pay off in the summer. While you will be sitting back and enjoying your garden, others will be weeding theirs.
Supplies
- Black out fabric
- Fabric pins
- Preen (available at all garden centers)
- Tiller or claw for turning soil
- Mulch or rock
- Rake
Directions
- Turn soil with a tiller or a claw tool. You will only need to turn the soil enough to loosen roots of weeds.
- Pull weeds by hand; be sure to remove the entire root whenever possible.
- Rake through the dirt to expose any weeds you may have missed.
- Shake the Preen all over the area where you want to prevent weeds. Preen works by preventing new growth. Unlike traditional weed killers that kill off the existing weeds, Preen tackles the problem beneath the surface and continues to work for three months at a time. Preen works best in loose soil. Watering will not dilute the Preen; it will actually help ensure it gets to all the weeds. Preen will not have any effect on established plants.
- Roll out black out fabric, cut out holes for plants. Use pins to secure fabric.
- Pour rock or mulch on top of blackout fabric. This not only makes the flower beds look nice, but will also help keep fabric in place.