Pulling up weeds is a necessary, yet often thankless task that takes up plenty of our time. We all know that heartbreaking feeling after ridding the garden of unwanted weeds, just to find more starting to appear in their place.
Do you find yourself constantly battling weeds or have noticed them popping up in a new spot? There’s every chance you’ve been pulling up weeds wrong, and some top tips you’ll become a weed’s worst nightmare!
Weeds grow back quickly
The clearest sign, and one we don’t have to remind you about! If a weed comes right back in the same place after you’ve pulled it from the ground, this suggests you haven’t removed the whole plant, leaving some behind when you pluck it from the ground. Stop this from blighting your garden by making sure to dig up the entire root system, including any pesky runners or rhizomes, which are easily forgotten about.
Weeds spread to new spaces
Weeds can sometimes emerge in places they weren’t ever a problem before. You may have inadvertently spread the seeds around yourself, and we all know what these seeds will grow into! Take care when gardening not to trample on weeds or disturb the soil around them, as this can cause seed dispersion.
Hot and sunny day? Weeding time!
Don’t be tempted to weed on a sunny day, particularly during a prolonged spell of dry weather. Weeds will be even trickier to pull up from the ground at this time. It is best to wait until after some rain, as the soil will be nice and moist.
You’re using the wrong tools
As with many things in life, a failure to prepare means you’re preparing to fail! If you don’t use the right tools, it’s not going to go well, and you’re sure to see weeds return. Small weeds can be tackled with a hand weeder or trowel, while bigger weeds may need a hoe or garden fork.
Ignoring the bigger picture
If your garden is overrun by weeds, there might be a bigger issue at play. For example, some weeds can be a sign of poor soil damage or nutrient deficiencies.
So, remember our tips to get your garden looking shipshape and tidy, without those pesky weeds! Weed when the soil is moist, not soggy, using the right tools for the type and size of weeds you are dealing with. Dig deep! Remove the full root system without spreading any weeds around your garden by treading on them.
