Weeding in-ground garden

enkeli224

I planted an in-ground (not raised) 13x15 garden this year, and everything is thriving....

but i'm getting small clover-like weed that is growing in between my rows and sort of taking over any empty soil. LOL

Is it really that big of a deal? I don't have any kind of hand cultivator, and I have to think pulling it all out by hand is A) a nightmare and impossible...

kelklump

Those clover things are annoying- for sure. I had to dig them out of my thyme in my raised bed, somehow they grew right through my lovely soil. They are a HUGE pain, and honestly, I havent had much luck with anything but hand pulling. Good luck!

Dr.Loretta

It's easier to weed them now before they really take over. It's a PITA, but worth it in the end.

kastle

I would pull out now before they produce seeds and you get an even BIGGER problem.

You may want to consider mulching the area to reduce weeds (after you get rid of them).  Mulch really does help cut down on them I find.  Plus, it helps retain moisture (which means less hand watering!)

schoolsoutbride

Ditto on doing it now. Water well an it will go fast. I also use a good 10 layers of newspaper to deter weeds and then mulch. Works pretty well, but you can't walk on the newspaper.

enkeli224

Thanks girls! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you -- life interrupted. LOL

katieranck2202

My mom has gardened for nearly 40 years and has always mulched her garden with grass clippings from the yard starting when first planting and continuing throughout the summer.  She has hardly any weeds at all to pull.

Dad dumps the bag in a bare spot and then she moves handfuls around to cover every bare inch.  Just be sure to NOT use clippings after applying weed killer to the grass; wait until after a good rain.  The clippings will keep weeds under control and improve the soil.  In 20 years she turned blue clay soil into fantastic loam with this method.  Right now in less than 4 years her new garden in GA is going from red clay to decent soil.