Weeds are plants growing where they are not wanted, often competing with cultivated plants for nutrients, water, and space. They can be annual or perennial and come from various species. Weed control can be approached in several ways:
- Non-chemical methods: These include hand-removal, repeated cutting or mowing to prevent seed formation, smothering weeds with mulch or cardboard to block light, using weed barriers or root barriers, and solarizing the soil by covering it with clear plastic to kill weed seeds using heat. These methods are environmentally friendly and safer around children and pets.
- Mowing and cutting: Regular mowing or cutting back weeds stops photosynthesis and depletes their energy reserves, especially effective on perennial weeds.
- Soil solarization: Covers soil with clear polyethylene to heat it and kill weed seeds, effective primarily in warm seasons.
- Using tarps: Covering soil with UV-treated tarps (black tarps) keeps soil warm and moist but blocks light, killing emerging weeds.
- Mulching: Applying thick organic mulch layers suppresses weeds by preventing light from reaching their seeds and seedlings.
- Weed barriers: Installing physical barriers restricts the spread of weeds in certain garden areas.
These methods require persistence and are often better than chemical weedkillers, which have environmental, health, and biodiversity drawbacks. The best control depends on the weed species, garden conditions, and time available for management.