I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with my garden right now, especially trying to keep my borders looking nice for longer than a few months. Couch grass seems to take over no matter what I do. I'm hoping there's some secret to clearing borders effectively and keeping plants alive, as I really struggle with anything that's not bulbs or vegetables. This year is especially tough because I can't kneel down to work in the garden, so I'm wondering if just cutting everything back, using cardboard, and layering new compost will help tackle couch grass, wild strawberries, crocosmia, and brambles. Is there hope for getting my garden manageable without spending hours weeding?
3 Answers
I’m with you on planning for accessibility! There are step weeding tools that can be super helpful for pulling out weeds without bending down. Before adding the cardboard and mulch, try to remove as many crocosmia corms as you can. And if you must strim to control the weeds, do it before they set seed—this makes a huge difference. I’ve been reducing my lawn area slowly and adding more plants to compete with the couch grass. It's all about outcompeting them both above and below ground!
Honestly, being retired has made gardening a lot more enjoyable for me! Just having the time to potter around every day is a game changer.
If kneeling is a challenge, using a hoe can really help. I prefer the Wolfgarten ones, but it's all about personal choice. For stubborn weeds, some people do resort to glyphosate—though I know it can be controversial. Timing can be key, especially when you're prepping a border for planting; sometimes going a little scorched earth is necessary.