Keeping your garden healthy and thriving might be one of the hardest things to do. Weeding is probably one of the most disliked gardening tasks, usually because it’s hard work and the job never seems to be finished- remove one weed and two more will spring up in its place. Can you relate? I sure can. 

weeds and herbs on a rag and glass blow over a wooden table or counter

That’s why knowing how to use a weeding tool in your garden and knowing which weeding tool to choose is essential for this tedious garden task. 

Learn how weeds can affect plant growth, and how to stop weeds in your yard.

weeding tools for gardening, tulip flowers and tulip bulbs on a wooden table or counter

 

Keeping your Garden Healthy and Thriving

If you’re like many of us, you may be inclined to let a few weeds slide here and there. After all, it can be difficult to stay on top of weed growth everywhere it pops up. 

What harm do weeds really do? 

Competition for Nutrients

The bad news for other plants in your yard is that weeds compete for nutrients in the soil and sunlight, which can lead to stunted growth for your vegetables, flowers and lawn.

Competition for Space

On a similar note, weeds also take up space, which can make it harder for gardens to flourish.

Preventing weeds is the best way to limit their proliferation. The basic strategy here is to make your garden a less-than-hospitable location for unwanted plants. 

First and foremost, limit the amount of bare soil present in your garden, as empty patches of fertile soil are like oases for weeds. 

Instead, plant densely, use mulch and consider taking advantage of the natural weed-suppressing power of ground covers or landscaping fabric. The latter being effective but artificial.

men and women weeding in a garden or field

Is weeding a garden necessary?

We can’t very well have a lot of weeds taking over our tomatoes or garden peas, but we can also recognize that these plants play an important part in natural systems and can play a vital role in our gardens. Indeed, weeds might actually be a good thing to have growing.

Many weeds are said to accumulate vital nutrients from the subsoil and bring the nutrients into their leaves. As the weed leaves die back, they make a healing medicine (fertilizer) for damaged topsoil.

weeding tool, weeding the garden, weeds, garden with green leaves and herbs, hands with red gardening gloves

What do weeds say about soil?

For example, weeds that have deep taproots, such as dandelions and burdock, generally indicate soils that are compacted, preventing plants with lesser roots from taking hold. These taproots break up the soils and eventually, as they decompose, create pathways for water, nutrients, and weaker roots systems.

Best Time for Weeding a Garden 

The best time when to weed a garden is ideally after a rainstorm or after watering with the garden hose. The ground will be wet and the roots of the weeds will come out of the ground more easily. Weeding your garden in the morning, before the dew has dried, is also a good time to weed. While the soil will not be as soft as it would be after a rainfall or after watering, it will still be softer than later in the afternoon.

lush green grass with purple flowers growing in a garden, blue bike with yellow flowers in a basket

Spend less time weeding and more time gardening. Learn which are the right weeding tools to keep your garden beautiful and thriving! 

Now, if you are looking into starting an indoor garden here are some very helpful tips you will enjoy. You can also read more about how a garden can save you money.

Finally, tell us, what are you growing in your garden this year? We have a few herbs, vegetables and are looking forward to seeing lots of more flowers in our garden this year.