 |
• The New Perennial Club
• Newsletter/Archive
• About Us
• Contact
• Media eMail Alerts
• In the News
• Top Sellers
• Feedback
• Bug Report
• Poisonous Plants
• Dealer Locator
• Learn How to Search
• Plant Tag Symbols
|
|
 | Tip of the Day |
| Tip Number: 23 | Date: 2001-04-09 |
 |
 |
| |
 | Hand weeding is the best way to control weed seedlings in the perennial garden. |
| |
| One of the great myths of perennial gardening is that your plants will somehow magically control weeds themselves. This concept is shattered quickly in the first season, for most gardeners.
Annual weeds are easily controlled by hand weeding. Getting rid of these weeds while they are small is critical. Mature weeds usually set large amounts of seed that will create worse problems down the road. Some of these weeds seeds remain viable in the soil for many years.
Perennial weeds can be of two types, those that grow and spread from invasive root pieces in the soil, and those that germinate from seed and form distinct clumps.
Clumping types are best controlled by hand pulling in the early stages, while they are still seedlings. Dandelions are a good example of this type. More mature plants should be removed by digging out the weed, roots and all. This is easiest to accomplish during spring cleanup. This type of weed typically produces large amounts of seed, so removing plants before they flower will help tremendously in controlling these invaders.
Aggressive, spreading perennial weeds are covered in their own Tip of the Day.
Mulching around your plants will help to control weeds, and also help to keep perennial roots cool and moist. Choose a mulching material that is organic and weed free, such as bark, cocoa beans or shredded leaves. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
