Keeping Weeds Out of Your Garden

A perfectly pruned plot of land, bursting with healthy vegetables and beautiful flowers, is every gardeners dream-- a dream that many times turns into a nightmare when the weeds move in. Taking root anywhere and everywhere they can, these pests can very quickly take over your prized produce and flowers. Weeding a garden, be it with a hoe or on hands and knees, is a chore very few people enjoy. That being said, the best method of weed control is not allowing weeds to grow in the first place. Here are a few tried-and-true methods for keeping your garden weed-free.

Mulch. It's probably the easiest way to keep weeds at a minimum. Mulch cools the soil and helps it retain moisture. Acting as a barrier, it suffocates seeds to keep them from germinating. However, you need to be careful. Mulch keeps all seeds from germinating, wanted and unwanted, so wait to add it to your garden until all of your plants are up. There are two types of mulch: organic and synthetic.

Organic: Organic mulch has numerous advantages in the garden. As it decomposes, it helps to improve the soil's fertility and organic content. Since it does decompose, it will have to be replaced. The rule of thumb is that the dryer and woodier the mulch, the slower the decomposition process. Be careful, though. Dry, woody mulch also adds less nutrients to the soil than a moist variety. Here are some different types of organic mulch:

Straw: This is my personal favorite as far as organic mulches go. It really works to keep the weeds down, and it keeps the paths a little dryer during the rainy spring. It's also low maintenance, lasting the whole season due to its slow decomposition. When the season is over, rake it up or till it into the soil to continue adding nutrients over the winter.

Shredded Leaves: You can use shredded leaves as mulch on any type of plant, they're easy to come by, and they're free. I recommend shredding them, since unshredded tend to mat together and not let as much moisture through. If you like a more formal-looking garden, leaves probably aren't for you. If this is the case, though, you can still use them on your garden in the fall. Just spread them around after your garden has been harvested and let the nutrients work their magic over the winter. It will give you a healthier garden next spring.

Newspaper: Many times overlooked as an organic mulch, most newspapers now only use organic dyes in their print. You probably already have these lying around, and they provide a great barrier for weeds. After your seeds have sprouted, lay the newspaper between the plants, being careful not to touch them. You will need to moisten the sheets to keep them in place. They are slow to decompose, so they should last the whole season. This is great because you can then spread a thin layer of another organic mulch, such as wood chips, over the top of the newspapers. Wood chips look good but don't last as long. With the newspaper underneath, you can have a neat and tidy garden all summer.

Synthetic: There are a few synthetic methods of mulch on the market. These do a good job of retaining moisture while providing a barrier for weeds and, since they don't decompose, they require very little upkeep. On the downside, they don't add any nutrients to the soil like organic mulches do.

Black Plastic and Landscape Fabric: This is a good choice to use around shrubs and trees growing around your house. However, if you're using it for your vegetable garden, know that the plastic retains heat and can kill your plant roots if you don't keep it well watered. Cut holes in the plastic and fabric so water can easily get through to your plants. Make sure you cut enough holes so that water doesn't pool on top of the plastic and your garden stays well-drained. If you want, spread a thin layer of bark or other organic material on top of the plastic for a nicer-looking garden.

These are all fine mulches to use to keep your garden weed-free this season. Each has its pros and cons, so choose the one that's right for you and your garden.