is there a better way to keep weeds out of your vegtable garden than straw or hay.?

Answer 1

Actually I don't like straw or hay because it always has seeds that sprout. Years ago I put in raised beds and have wood chips between the beds in a pretty thick layer. It keeps 99% of the weeds out and is nice and clean to walk on. When I need more it's easy to just dump on top and still looks tidy. I have also had great success wth using layers of damp newspaper (not glossy and no colored advertisement inserts). You just put it down in thick layers - water to keep moist. It just rots into the ground eventually but keeps the light out so the weeds don't grow.

Lee Valley tools sells some great black mulch that kind of looks and feels like thin black plastic, not shiney, the matt appearance makes it blend in with the dirt so it's not so obvious. This product is biodegradable - lasts one season only - but it worked well.

Really the whole idea is to keep the light off the soil - so there are many mulch options that work well. Cocoa husks, black plastic (works better than clear), newspaper, biodegradeable products, leaves, grassclippings (that do not have weed and feed). Just be careful not to add anything that could be toxic to you or your plants. I like wood chips because if they get into the soil - it just adds to the texture and bio-mix.

Good Luck, happy growing!

Answer 2

After tilling, I cover my garden plot with 2 mm plastic for 1 month to kill any bacteria/seeds in the ground. The temperature under the plastic can and should get pretty warm. Once removed and after planting, I found that laying landscape fabric and/or mulch will do the trick. I really love peet moss mulch.

Answer 3

I use grass clippings but in my 25 years of gardening experience there really is no way to totally control weeds.It is a constant battle that eventually,at the end of the growing season,the weeds win.

Answer 4

There is no fool proof way to keep weeds out of your garden. Just use a hoe to kill emerging weeds. Also planting your plants closer together, prevents weeds from getting enough sunlight.

Answer 5

I desire a backyard with strictly limited foliage. this form i'm getting to spend plenty extra time indulging in fulfilling interests there. in spite of each little thing rummaging interior the direction of the undergrowth doing a David Baily effect is somewhat no longer my cup of tea in any respect. I do particularly like the assumption of ploughing a field now and then nevertheless. it is in many situations intense-high quality to work out something remarkable starting to be in a nicely tended furrow!

Answer 6

Mulch keeps weeds low.

Answer 7

mulch or wood chips are the easiest

Answer 8

You can do it the old fashioned way......use a hoe and hoe it every other day or so.

Answer 9

plastic