Hey everyone! I'm tackling my first weeding project and could use some guidance on my plan. The area I'm working on hasn't been maintained in a while and is overrun with mature weeds, some small exploding ones, and a few deep-rooted dandelions. Here's my approach: I planned to dampen the soil first, then use a twist tiller to remove the weeds and loosen the soil, making it easier to expose the roots. After that, I'd use a small shovel for more precise root removal and a larger shovel for cleaning up the debris. Once that's done, I'd spray weed killer and lay down some mulch, all while being careful not to damage the plants I want to keep. Does this sound like a decent strategy or am I missing something? Also, when I touch some of the weeds, they explode and spread seeds everywhere! For maintenance later, if weeds push through the mulch, would a stirrup hoe work? And for tougher roots, would a post hole digger help? Any suggestions on dealing with those exploding weeds? Should I use bags with the tiller, or is there a better method?
4 Answers
I’d steer clear of using any weed killer at all. It's really just a plant killer, and it can harm other plants too, especially later on. Your best bet is good old-fashioned effort—digging them out manually and then covering the area with mulch afterward should work perfectly. That being said, for those stubborn roots, a heavy-duty hand tool works wonders. Remember, there's no easy solution; a little elbow grease goes a long way!
It really depends on the types of weeds you have. If they're really deep or stubborn, a tiller might not get everything, and you'll be left with roots that can just regrow. Instead, you should think about how you're using weed killer; it doesn't work well on existing growth, and be aware it can linger in the soil. If you go the tiller route, be sure to look for ones that quickly break down! Maybe think about using cardboard and mulch for pathways to keep them clear, too.
Definitely avoid the weed killer. For your maintenance questions, you can just pull them out as they sprout through the mulch. If you do this regularly, you'll keep them in check. For those dense weeds, I typically just use a long fork tool to get down and pull out the roots without causing too much disturbance.
Gotcha! If the weeds are getting out of control, should I just use those small bags to manage the seeds when I pull them?
Your plan mostly looks solid, but I’d skip the weed killer if you're near other plants—it can hurt them too. Instead, when you pull those explosive weeds, try putting a paper or plastic bag around them first to catch the seeds as you pull. Dampening the soil is a good idea since it helps loosen them up, but don't worry too much about using a shovel unless you have really deep roots to deal with. Just some gloves will keep your hands safe while you work. Also, I’ve found that planting immediately after weeding actually leads to fewer weeds later on. Consider adding some low-growing ground covers instead of relying solely on mulch; they can help keep weeds down in the long run!
Sounds great! So should I just bag them up and then use the twist tiller? Or is it better to use a small shovel carefully instead?
Okay, I get that; with the mulch, would I still need a weed killer at all for maintenance? What do you suggest?