Weeds can be a challenge in the garden because they compete with our homegrown crops for water and nutrients. They can be very stubborn and persistent, so it’s understandable that people feel the temptation to use some kind of weed control product.
However, chemical weed control products can come with significant downsides. They are often pointed to as a key factor in pollinator decline, and can be very harmful to aquatic life when they contaminate waterways. Weed killer residues can also be a threat to the health of children and pets depending on how the product is used or applied.
For these reasons, gardeners are increasingly looking to alternative weed control methods that are kinder to the ecosystem. These methods may not be as swift or fast-acting, but they do involve a more sustainable, holistic approach to weed suppression - with added benefits (apart from weed suppression) in many cases.
Pulling weeds by hand is a simple but very effective method, particularly for smaller, more confined areas such as raised beds. For best results, try to weed after rainfall or watering, when the soil is softer and roots come out more easily.
There are a number of hand tools that can be used to make weeding easier and more efficient. Copper alloy trowels are highly suitable due to their sharp edges, smoothly gliding through soil and doing a clean job. Long, narrow or tapered blades allow you to dig deeper into the soil, which makes it easier to remove weeds at the roots - which should prevent regrowth.
Hoeing is one of the most widely-used garden weeding techniques, with a variety of hoe types to choose from. Examples include:
Stirrup or Oscillating Hoe: Cuts weeds at or just below the soil surface using a push-pull motion. This tool type is very efficient for larger garden beds and regular maintenance.
Dutch Hoe: Features a flat, sharp blade at an angle to the handle. This tool slices weeds just under the soil surface, severing them from their roots.
Draw Hoe: Has a perpendicular blade that is pulled toward the user.
Onion Hoe: Ideal for precision work in tight spaces, the onion or ‘swan neck’ hoe has a curving shaft that positions the flat blade almost parallel to the soil surface.
Blocking light is one very effective way of preventing weed seeds (which are almost always present in your soil) from germinating. Options include landscape fabric, weed membranes or specialized planting mats like our Gro Grid.
Weed control fabric or membrane is a reusable and permeable or semi-permeable material that blocks light while allowing air and water to pass through. This soil cover has the added benefit of conserving soil moisture and protecting against soil erosion, heavy rain etc.
Gro Grid planting mats are a very effective weed-suppressing fabric. These mats feature evenly spaced, heat-sealed planting holes, allowing you to plant seedlings and discourage weeds from competing for nutrients at the same time. Gro Grid mats come win different variations, each one corresponding to a loose ‘grouping’ of crops (e.g. Mat ‘A’ for kale, spinach, strawberries, beetroot, broccoli, kale, lettuce etc).
Organic mulches suppress weeds in a similar way, while having the considerable added benefit of feeding the soil as they break down - as well as attracting beneficial invertebrates or improving soil structure, drainage and so on. A layer of 2 to 4 inches is recommended to cut off sunlight without blocking water or air. Examples of organic mulches include:
During periods of reduced activity in the garden, sowing green manures (also known as ‘cover crops’) is an excellent way of protecting bare soil. Weeds can grow and multiply very easily when soil is left uncovered. Green manures act as a living mulch, smothering existing weeds and preventing seeds from getting established.
In some cases these green manure crops can add nutrients or enrich the soil as they break down, while some (such as clover or Phacelia) also have great benefit to pollinators.
Examples of green manure include:
This technique involves applying a brief blast of intense heat to rupture plant cells, causing weeds to wilt and die. This is ideally done in two passes. It should be used with caution in dry conditions, but it avoids soil disturbance and leaves behind beneficial potash. We stock the Sheen flamegun, which is very effective and consistently sells with landscapers and gardeners alike.
No Dig gardening is based on the principle of nurturing long-term soil health by avoiding soil disruption where possible. This includes a lot of garden tasks that can seem like second nature, such as turning compost or soil amendments into your garden soil.
By avoiding soil tillage, gardeners minimize the exposure of dormant weed seeds to light, reducing germination. Mulching is also a key cornerstone of no dig gardening (see above).
Biodegradable options like vinegar-based or plant-derived sprays offer additional weed suppression. While less potent than synthetic herbicides and often requiring repeat use, they are seen as a kinder (to the ecosystem) alternative.