Does anyone know how to keep weeds out of a garden?

Comments: 19

JoAnne D. Jun 8, 2008, 1:55pm EDT

I was gonna say full time gardener too, darn. There are chemicals but the wind does blow, the birds drop things the other little critter carriers, I just don't know too many cures. How about a greenhouse, I guess that's not usable either. Sorry.

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Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jun 8, 2008, 2:06pm EDT

I have no idea after you get them.

I know with flowers, before you plant you dig the hole and place newspaper in the bottom of the hole befor eyou place the flower in and cover up with dirt. This stops the weeds from coming through.

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Karen F. Jun 8, 2008, 2:11pm EDT

I like Sandy's idea. I get lots of news papers so that is a good one for me too. Thanks

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Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Jun 8, 2008, 2:12pm EDT

Bersides putting down plastic or a weed barrier....I don't know besides just pulling them!

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Judith S. Jun 8, 2008, 2:24pm EDT

I think I heard that mulch will keep them down, just spread right up to the edges of the plants you want to keep, but make sure it is a thick layer.

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Larry H. Jun 8, 2008, 2:27pm EDT

use Preen

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J F. Jun 8, 2008, 2:30pm EDT

Black plastic and mulch will work, but I honestly don't like either of them. I always get black carpenter ants from the mulch. And the plastic just packs the soil down over years which I don't like. I have a little over an acre so I have my hands full. I do buy bales of peat to put in all of my flower beds. I clean out all of the weeds then spread the peat around. It conditions the soil and any weeds that do come up are easy to get out with a little tool I use. The little garden tool helps get the little weeds out and loosens up the soil to look beautiful again. Actually, even with all of my health problems I still love getting out there and working in the soil. Takes my mind off all the problems I have for awhile.

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Peter Joseph Swanson Jun 8, 2008, 2:48pm EDT

Chemicals - or thick straw mulch, and the hoe.

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Debra C. Jun 8, 2008, 2:49pm EDT

We used grass clippings spread in the rows with good success.

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WS R. Jun 8, 2008, 2:51pm EDT

No chemicals! Chemicals bad! Try sheet composting (lasagna gardening). It's not pretty, but it works. Do a search for lasagna gardening. It's what I use. Drives my husband nuts and the neighbors think I"m crazy too, but there are very few weeds, if any, in my flowerbeds.

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LEЯA © Politcally Incorrect M. Jun 8, 2008, 3:12pm EDT

I use my weed whacker.

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Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jun 8, 2008, 3:25pm EDT

Black trash bags, wet newspapers, mulch, all these work very well.

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Ryan M. Jun 8, 2008, 3:36pm EDT

When someone has a for sure easy way to keep them out let me know too.

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*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle D. Jun 8, 2008, 5:21pm EDT

I've heard the newspaper idea before, and it's the only thing I haven't tried. I'm going to cover the ground with newspaper and add mulch. One thing is I have a pool and I can't use wood chips and they clog up the pool. My favorite mulch is cotton seed hulls, but they disappear after a year or two. Very expensive if you have a large garden.

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dee b. Jun 8, 2008, 8:35pm EDT

I take black garbage bags, after I have done my initial weeding and then lay the soil on top. Cover well, with soil, add mulch or rocks, stones etc. This is the cheapest way I have found and works pretty good. I don't care for chemicals.

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