Killing weeds and grass, and volunteer plants before they start...

[Ruby Rogue]

The sun's out and spring is coming. There's still 4 feet of snow in my garden but I'm starting to think...

Is there anything I can do to prevent weeds and volunteer plants from growing in my garden, like something I can till into the soil a couple of weeks before planting?

 

[Kirkwooder]

I till/plow my 1/4 acre garden, then as I plant I cover the open spaces with cardboard and mulch. Usually sawdust, straw or wood chips, just to keep the cardboard from blowing away. Works great! Then just till it all in next spring!

 

[jher77]

There was some stuff called Preen that prevented things from sprouting but it will also keep your seeds from sprouting up too. It was corn gluten I think and you just poured it on the ground. I never used it but my neighbor did. I think this was something you used after the garden was established. He used it once and never used it again.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I learned that preen only prevents seeds from sprouting. It has no effect on perennial weeds like bind weed and runner grass that come back from dormant roots.

I do a lot of pulling of weeds in spring while the ground is softer. Summer through fall I have been laying black plastic on top of problem areas and pinning it down. I take it up in spring so I can pull any determined weeds then back down it goes after every weed pulling session. It has been painfully slow going.

 

[StinkyAcres]

We use black plastic as well. It heats up the ground and blocks the light. But if we leave it on the ground for too long the voles make a home underneath it, and they can be worse than weeds!

 

[21hens-incharge]

We use black plastic as well. It heats up the ground and blocks the light. But if we leave it on the ground for too long the voles make a home underneath it, and they can be worse than weeds!

No voles here....that I know of. The masses of garter snakes though seem to love going under the black plastic.

 

[StinkyAcres]

No voles here....that I know of. The masses of garter snakes though seem to love going under the black plastic.

Oh, how I wish we had masses of garter snakes! I hope they don't get stepped on under there.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh, how I wish we had masses of garter snakes! I hope they don't get stepped on under there.

We are very careful not to squish those sneaky little wigglers.

While they still creep me out I have accepted they are here to stay.

 

[Jeanw]

I hear that industrial vinegar will kill whatever vegetation it’s applied to.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I hear that industrial vinegar will kill whatever vegetation it’s applied to.

My neighbor tried to kill dandelions in his grass using a regular vinegar mixed with water and I believe dawn dish soap.
It took 3 years for the spots to go away in his yard.