In a small garden, simply pulling or digging weeds like thistle, buttercup and dandelions or persistent vines like ivy, blackberry and bindweed is effective, but time-consuming. Spot spraying with chemical weed killer or covering lush top growth with black plastic for a year also have their merits - and their respective fan clubs, and should be considered first in small urban gardens. In a large-scale landscape, chemical means are sometimes necessary, especially if this is a recovery process from years of neglect. Chemical weed control can be justified to restore a garden or create a new one if the space is quite large. Rural gardeners, with strong fences, can employ pigs and goats for the initial bush clearing and the continual nipping back of the leaves, not so for those in cities or areas with restrictive covenants. Preparing soil is a longer process than most gardeners would prefer. Inspired by new designs and ready to immediately plant any open area that presents itself, the initial satisfaction is quickly replaced by the realization that there are many, many weed seeds and roots lurking just under the surface than first imagined. To prepare the soil, first remove all the large roots and fibrous top growth that you can find, add soil amendments if desired, then rotary till the soil and immediately water the area. At this time, you want to encourage any dormant weed seeds to "show their faces" and germinate. When the weeds and/or vines have begun to grow more than a few inches tall, and definitely before going to seed, spray a weed killer recommended for your area and weed type. Either spray just after rain or irrigate the area to wash dust off the leaves. If you spray "dusty" leaves, the chemical may not be effective. Resist the urge to disturb the soil when you first see signs of stress; more time is required to kill the roots. Wait at least two weeks before tilling the soil again, at which time, most weeds will have become browned and crispy. Your garden is now ready for your new plant treasures. Remember that you will have eliminated most of the weed roots with this process, but dormant seeds brought to the surface will still happily germinate. Consider using one or two inches of mulch in your completed landscape, promptly pulling any weeds that present themselves and do not disturb the soil surface any more than necessary to keep those sleeping weed seeds from germinating. A note to consider: Chemical weed killers are non-selective; that means that anything "green" will be severely damaged by the chemical, so be careful if desirable plants are nearby. As for personal safely, wear long sleeves and pants that are easily laundered, a separate washer load if possible. Wear disposable gloves, face mask, and spray on a calm day to avoid drift. |
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