Hey everyone! I'm a newbie gardener who just got back into it after a long break. My crops are thriving for the most part, but I'm having a real struggle with weeds—especially with the weaker ones like arugula and spinach getting completely overshadowed. I've heard some folks here in Italy use plastic film or hay to manage this issue. What are some effective methods to keep my garden weed-free? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Do you know which specific weeds you’re dealing with? Different weeds might need different approaches for effective removal.
You might consider using cover methods. For instance, you could lay down a tarp with holes cut for your plants to grow through. Alternatively, you can go for the scorched earth policy—lay cardboard across your whole garden, cover it with a tarp, and weigh it down with rocks during the hottest months. This will kill off a lot of the weeds, making your garden much easier to manage for the next season.
Covering the garden with a good layer of mulch can help too. It blocks sunlight, preventing weed seeds from germinating and killing off any existing weeds.
Trust me, starting early in spring makes a huge difference! A stitch in time saves nine. If you keep an eye on those weeds and get to them before they seed, you can gradually cut down on their numbers over a few seasons.
One simple approach is just to pull them out! It sounds basic, but if you stay on top of it, you can really manage the infestation before it gets out of hand.