I’ll be honest - I hate weeding. Out of all garden tasks I loathe this one the most 🤣
I’m sure many of you can relate. I had to find other ways to control the weeds that were not manually pulling them by hand. Here are 4 easy and effective ways to control garden weeds—no manual pulling required! These methods are practical, and perfect for keeping your garden healthy and beautiful without all the backache.
Watch the video version of this guide on my YouTube channel:
Strategy One: Cardboard and Mulch Layering
Let’s dive into the first strategy: using cardboard and mulch. This technique is perfect for starting a new growing space, especially if it’s covered in grass. Instead of spending hours tilling or waiting for solarization, lay down some cardboard. I get mine from my local grocery store and save Amazon delivery boxes—just remove any tape first. You’ll want at least two layers to effectively smother tough weeds like crabgrass. Water the cardboard, then cover it with a thick layer of mulch, around five inches. I use free wood chips from getchipdrop.com. This method not only suppresses weeds but also enriches the soil as the materials break down.
Strategy Two: Heavy-Duty Weed Blocker Material
The second strategy involves using heavy-duty weed blocker material. This acts much like solarization by denying weeds the sunlight they need to survive. Be aware, though, not all weed blocker materials are created equal. In my experience, DeWitt brand has stood out in terms of durability and effectiveness. It's great for walkways and for shutting down sections of the garden temporarily. Just burn holes in the material when you’re ready to plant again, allowing seeds to be directed right through.
☀️Dewitt Sunbelt woven weed blocker material I use to solarize or keep areas weed free: https://amzn.to/3HCiMMp
🔥Hand held blow torch I use to burn holes into the weed blocker material: https://amzn.to/402jj0p
Strategy Three: Alternate Growing Spaces
My third strategy incorporates alternating between garden beds or planting in the ground, and grow bags. So for example, the first season I plant things in the ground or in my raised garden beds. Once that season is over, I clean out the area and roll a layer of weed blocker material across everything. This will solarize the area and kill off the weeds. Since I have a small garden, shutting down even a small area really impacts how much I can grow. Therefore, I temporarily install grow bags or other containers over the previous season's growing area, which is now covered by the weed blocker material so I can continue growing something in that space. Once the season is over, I remove the grow bags or move them to another spot. Then remove the weed blocker material and go back to planting in the ground. This method helps reduce the weed seed bank over time and is also a form of crop rotation.
🌿Grow bags that I use: https://tinyurl.com/bdey5f8x
☀️Dewitt Sunbelt woven weed blocker material I use to solarize or keep areas weed free: https://amzn.to/3HCiMMp
Strategy Four: Living Mulch
Lastly, using plants as a living mulch is an excellent way to cover open soil and prevent weed growth. Choose low-growing, sprawling perennials that fit your climate zone. In my garden, I use longevity spinach, sweet potatoes, cow peas, Cuban oregano, and Okinawan spinach; these plants are edible or produce something that is edible, and create lush mats that smother weeds. Herbs like oregano and thyme also work wonderfully as living mulch.
Embracing Reality
I’ll conclude with a reality check: weeds are a struggle for most gardeners, myself included, especially here in Florida with our warm weather and frequent rain. By sharing these strategies, I hope to ease your battle with weeds and remind you that you're not alone in this. Give these methods a try and share them with fellow gardeners who are in the same boat. Happy gardening!