I'm getting ready to plant green beans in a garden bed that's been neglected for years and is now overrun with weeds and grass. After I clear it out, what steps can I take to prevent those pesky weeds from coming back?
3 Answers
Definitely go with mulch! It's one of the best defenses against weeds. Just make sure to put it down thickly after planting.
Planting clover alongside your green beans can be super beneficial. It's a low-maintenance living mulch that won't compete with the beans and can improve your soil too. Plus, it's easy to remove if needed. Just make sure to mulch, as that’ll help control those stubborn grass weeds.
You might want to try solarizing the soil before mulching. Just cover the bed with clear plastic for a few sunny days to kill off existing weeds and their seeds. After that, a combination of regular hoeing and covering with mulch should do the trick. Also, when the bed isn’t in use, think about planting a cover crop!