Pulling Weeds

Weeds are an inevitable part of gardening. Many weed seeds are wind borne, or travel in from animals and insects. The big trick is to kill them while they're young. Better yet, kill them before they're born. Corn gluten meal is an organic pre-emergent herbicide. Sprinkling it over your lawn or garden beds will prevent weeds from germinating. It kills indiscriminately, so keep it away from areas that have recently been seeded with wanted plants. Using a 3 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch is also an effective strategy, by preventing weed seeds from getting the sunlight they need.

Get them while they're young, before their root systems have developed. Disturb the soil around weeds with a rake or hoe. This exposes their roots and causes weeds to wither and die. Once they've settled in, schedule weeding shortly after watering or a rainstorm. Grasp them close to the base and pull or twist them out.

Weeds with long taproots, like dandelions, require a different strategy. The weed can regenerate from any part of the root that's left behind. Use a gardening knife or a narrow tool with a V-shaped center. Loosen the soil around the taproot and gently pull it up.

Wear gardening gloves because some weeds can cause contact dermatitis or have prickly parts that can scratch the skin. Using a foam pad to sit on while weeding will make you more comfortable. If the weeds in your garden have gotten out of control, take it one part of the garden at a time, or use a timer to weed for a set period, and return to the task as often as you need to. Patrol your garden frequently and you'll be able to keep pesky weeds to a minimum.