I've got garlic growing in a raised bed, but it's been completely taken over by grass. I was pulling the grass by hand, but thanks to an early warm spell, it's gone a bit wild! Should I keep yanking it out or just leave it for now?
3 Answers
Garlic doesn't compete well and gets overwhelmed easily. It might survive, but the bulbs will be smaller if you keep it crowded with grass. I recommend covering the grass with cardboard to deprive it of light—make sure to mulch up to the garlic leaves. This way, the decomposing grass will actually help feed your garlic! Just be cautious when pulling weeds; it can disturb the garlic roots. For next season, consider mulching with good compost to prevent weed seeds from sprouting, since your straw may have introduced some!
It sounds like the mulch you used might have had seeds in it, which is a bummer. Either hoe the grass down now or let it grow until it's easier to pull up without messing with your garlic too much.
You might want to leave the grass for the moment. If you let it get a bit bigger, you could pull it out more easily later without damaging the garlic roots. It’s kind of a balancing act!
Damn - that's what I thought... I'm heading outside now!
Thank you! I used hay straw last year and didn't think about weed seeds. I'll definitely switch to compost next year!