Weeds, weeds, weeds! Weeds pop up naturally just about everywhere, but keeping the weeds down is an essential part of gardening. Weeds can steal water, nutrients, and light necessary for your garden plants. The key is to weed early and often to help prevent the weeds from taking over.
There are several ways to weed: pulling them out, using a mulch, using a weed barrier, or using chemicals.
Pull by Hand or Cultivate with a Hoe
Small weeds can easily be pulled by hand or hoed. Use shallow hoeing or cultivating in vegetable gardens so the vegetables, especially root crops, are not damaged. When pulling out weeds, try to get as much of their root as possible- not just the top.
Mulches
Add organic mulches, like bark, or herbicide free grass clippings, between garden rows to help stop invading weeds. Be careful not to use too many grass clippings too close to a plant as they can cut off oxygen and suffocate the vegetables. Before using grass clipping, make sure it is free of weeds or the weeds will come up in your garden. It is also a good idea to avoid grass clippings from lawns that have been exposed to herbicides or been treated with fertilizer and herbicide combination products. Some chemicals used in herbicides may remain active within the grass clippings that can harm vegetable plants.
Weed Barrier
Lay down a weed barrier before planting. Generally, weed barrier is laid flat on the ground and then kept in place with stakes. Plants may be planted in soil on top of the barrier or in small holes made in the barrier. Weed barriers can be made out of newspaper or cardboard, or you can buy weed barrier fabrics at the gardening store.
Chemicals (Herbicides)
Using chemicals, called herbicides, to kill weeds is an option, but one with more risks. It is important to know what kind of weeds you have so you can pick the right herbicide. Be careful when using herbicides, as they may kill plants you want to keep. Read the product label to see what sort of protective gear you need to wear. Keep in mind that some chemicals may not be safe for use in vegetable gardens. Always check before using and if you are unsure, contact your local Extension office.
Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology
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Weeds, weeds, weeds! Weeds pop up naturally just about everywhere, but keeping the weeds down is an essential part of gardening. Weeds can steal water, nutrients, and light necessary for your garden plants. The key is to weed early and often to help prevent the weeds from taking over.
There are several ways to weed: pulling them out, using a mulch, using a weed barrier, or using chemicals.
Pull by Hand or Cultivate with a Hoe
Small weeds can easily be pulled by hand or hoed. Use shallow hoeing or cultivating in vegetable gardens so the vegetables, especially root crops, are not damaged. When pulling out weeds, try to get as much of their root as possible- not just the top.
Mulches
Add organic mulches, like bark, or herbicide free grass clippings, between garden rows to help stop invading weeds. Be careful not to use too many grass clippings too close to a plant as they can cut off oxygen and suffocate the vegetables. Grass clippings from lawns that have been exposed to herbicides or been treated with fertilizer and herbicide combination products should not be used in the garden. Some chemicals used in herbicides may remain active within the grass clippings that can harm vegetable plants.
Weed Barrier
Lay down a weed barrier before planting. Generally, weed barrier is laid flat on the ground and then kept in place with stakes. Plants may be planted in soil on top of the barrier or in small holes made in the barrier. Weed barriers can be made out of newspaper or cardboard, or you can buy weed barrier fabrics at the gardening store.
Chemicals (Herbicides)
Using chemicals, called herbicides, to kill weeds is an option, but one with more risks. It is important to know what kind of weeds you have so you can pick the right herbicide. Be careful when using herbicides, as they may kill plants you want to keep. Read the product label to see what sort of protective gear you need to wear. Keep in mind that some chemicals may not be safe for use in vegetable gardens. Always check before using and if you are unsure, contact your local Extension office.
Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology
Information summarized from UW Extension publications by Katie Shockley, Writer/Editor, University of Wyoming Extension Communications & Technology
Additional Resources
The University of Wyoming Extension provides a lot of information about Wyoming weeds and weed management. Learn more from these resources.
- Weed Control in Garden & Lawn
- Weeds of the West handbook
- Weed Barrier for Weed Control video
- Weed management series video
Next up: Common Garden Issues [Coming the week of July 13!]
