Weeding, herbicide application and mulching are modern ways to control weeds in the garden

The damage that weeds cause to the garden is known to everyone who is engaged in agriculture. They take away water, essential nutrients and sunlight from the vegetables, berries and spicy herbs grown by the gardener. In addition, weeds often harbor a variety of pests, microorganisms and diseases. For example, wild onions can become a carrier of viral diseases that are dangerous for onions, and quinoa contributes to the spread of such a dangerous disease as late blight. How can we reduce the damage caused by weeds? How to deal with weeds on the site? Are there any secrets of seasoned gardeners that help to cope with the misfortune?

Ways to control weeds in the garden

1. Mechanical - weeding a vegetable garden, beds and row spacings with a hoe or cultivator;
2. the use of herbicides;
3. mulching.

Weeding

Important! Never feed the animals with weeds removed from the garden, since the seeds of some weeds are very tenacious and are able to germinate even after they are eaten by livestock, passing through the digestive tract and exiting with waste products.

Weeding after rain or watering gives the best results. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to remove weeds from wet soil without damaging the cultivated plants.

There are a few basic rules for effective weeding:

• The depth of mechanical tillage in weed control in the garden depends on the location of the root collar (ground or underground) and the shape of the weed root system. For example, plants with roots that go to great depths, such as pigs, bindweed, horse sorrel, plantain, are recommended to be dug up by the root; this procedure is performed with a shovel or a hand grubber. Grasses creeping on the ground, as a rule, have branched, shallow roots; they can be removed by deepening the hoe 2–3 cm into the soil.
• All cut and dug out weeds must be removed from the garden immediately. some of them are able to take root again - garden purslane, stellate, etc.
• Weed control in the garden should be carried out in a systematic and regular way, and not occasionally.
• You should weed not only the beds, but also areas near hedges, paths and agricultural buildings.

How to control weeds on the site using herbicides?

Advice! Before starting processing, check the lunar calendar. Sprayed on the aerial part of the plant, preparations are best applied on the waning moon. At this time, the sap of the plant moves from top to bottom, from the leaves to the roots, which contributes to the best distribution of the product.

Herbicides are versatile, highly effective chemicals used to kill weeds. Today manufacturers offer many products with different properties and application methods.

• Roundup.
  A widespread continuous-acting drug, a systemic herbicide. Affects young shoots and leaves, has a weak soil activity.
• Tornado.
  A drug with a broad spectrum of action. It processes the above-ground part of the plant, then, having got through the stems and leaves, it spreads and enters the root system, while the weed dies entirely.Treatment with this drug gives excellent results for fighting even such malicious aggressors as wheatgrass, pig, bindweed, and reed.
• Hurricane Forte.
  Postemergence, non-selective herbicide. It is used for the complete elimination of perennial and annual weeds.
• Glyphos.
  An aqueous solution, the main component of which is glyphosate. Blocks the synthesis of amino acids in the plant, thereby preventing it from developing.

Mulching

A simple and effective way to control weeds in the garden, this method allows, with minimal physical costs, not only to restrain the growth of unwanted plants, but also significantly improve the land, and also retain moisture.

Mulching products:

• covering - various films (lutrasil, polyethylene) and non-woven materials;
• chopped bark;
• cardboard, sprinkled on top with peat, humus or unblown lawn grass.

Important! The mulching film should not let light through, otherwise the weeds under it will feel great, like in a greenhouse.

Operating principle

The selected type of mulch is distributed over the area, preventing sunlight from reaching the soil. In film and non-woven coatings for cultivated plants, cruciform slots are left. Thus, even perennial weeds with a powerful root system are gradually destroyed.

Video about the use of weeds in the garden