Mulch does look nice in any garden and helps keep roots stay cooler while saving water uses. As much as it helps make a flower bed look very appealing it also hides weed roots. allowing the weed root to grow deeper and stronger. Organicle control with the use of Preen will slow down a weed problem as well flowering plant growth but bottom line is if you get the whole root you Kill the weed.
I start my weed elimination using the following steps from Spring to very late Fall for Zone 6
As soon as the Tulips show buds I use a weeding fork to loosen soils in six Mid-Sized area gardens ( Note: I have to remove the past years mulch this will become the floor to a new compost pile for next year) I then hand rake the lawn with both a rock rake and leaf rake apply the grub killer with lawn fertilizer and then add Rose Food Organic Fertilizer (It's early March) As the Tulip flowers fall off I again hand fork all the flower beds and remove anything that has a leaf I don't recall planting from the prior year (Do not put these unknown leaves in to the compost pile nor leave them on the lawn ).
The lawn then becomes the garden clock once a week from April to mid Sept I use a bagging mower to mow and dump the grass clippings on to the old mulch pile removed from beds. I then repeat with use of the hand fork of stirring up each areas flower beds removing and and all unknown shoots or weeds. I just now noticed I still didn't add any mulch to any flower bed, and that because I also have a Maple Tree that drops it's seedling pods from May to July meaning I have to rake my lawn to remove the seed pods before I mow and weed control after I mow I only add Organic fertilizers to all flowering beds on the same time clock as a Climbing Rose calls for this will continue one time weekly ( even tho I could get away with a Two Week weed removal time frame I can agree with hand removal as being the best way to kill weeds and not relying on mulch to hide the younger weed shoots which become very strong roots.
As the Fall season nears it's end and the leaves have started to fall I dig up ALL of any flowering plant that needs splitting up ( Day Lillies, Oriental Lillies, Iris etc.) Dig a new home for them that measures at least Four feet deep and perhaps 3 feet square and dispose of that dirt right on top of the weed pile from prior weedings and will use the well composted from two seasons ago to fill the holes.
When to use mulch.
If you grow an out of zone flowering plant Example: A Zone 7 Flowering plant Grown in Zone 6 it's roots will need the added warmth thu the Winter months that mulch can give by buring the plant or up to three feet high ( I remove the ***dead stalks and or leaves in Spring when new growth on the OUT OF Zone flower shows new leaves)
As added color to flower beds: However one needs to make sure the Mulch there about to add has NOT beed dyed or colored. You should use Mulch from a area garden shop Vs a Home Depot or Lowes Garden Dept.
How to mulch for added color
Thin, Thin, Thin Did I mention thin yet How thin is thin .... You should be able to stick a finger into the mulch and see at least 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch from the first line of your index finger wiht out sinking the finger in to the soft moist soil but keep in mind the dreedfull weed will be bigger befor it shows it's shoot and fertilizers will need added time for it's effects on plants
Flowering Gardens are a busy place for those who have them Our reward is the wonders of natures colors Trust me here No one ever told me how nice my mulch looks but then again I only use it for added warmth on certain flowering plants ( I.E. Climbing Roses Tea Roses Minature Roses and some Out of Zone plants
To every action there is a reaction. This is just as true in your garden. Chemicals such as Preen will kill weeds while also limiting the performance of other plants. The best weed killer is elbow grease! Once you have removed your weeds use an organic mulch such as newspaper or grass clippings to slow future weed growth. Good Luck!
I have a similar problem with my flower bed. Even after putting mulch down, the weeds keep coming. Just want to fix it once and for all. Any sure shot solutions?
There is a natural product out that actually stops weeds from sprouting. It is based on a byproduct of the corn industry. I purchase mine from an online company called Gardens Alive but have seen the same product for sale at Lowe's with the organic fertilizers. I know it works to cut way back on annual weeds and it breaks down to a natural fertilizer.
I have a large garden. My husband and I already laid the mulch down, but I still have tons of weeds popping through, so many in fact that I can't control them. I don't know what to do. I'm constantly picking them out, but two days later there is some more coming through. Can some one help!
Hi, I wouldn't. Our neighbor sprayed weed killer in his flower bed and nothing would grow for 3 years even after digging out the soil and replacing it.
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Request: Weed Killer for Flower Beds
Archived on 03/19/2007
Q: Can I use the vinegar weed killer in a flower bed being careful not to spray the existing plants and if so how long before I can plant new plants or seeds?
Hardiness Zone: 5b
Darlene ORuairc from Clawson, MI
A: Darlene,
Vinegar shouldn't be used in any soil that you want to plant someday. It breaks down the soil's structure, leaving it unable to support growth. It's best just to hoe or hand pull the weeds and then mulch with an organic material to prevent weeds from re-emerging. Leaves, compost, cardboard, newspaper, grass clippings, straw, sawdust, pine needles and bark chips are some examples of effective mulching materials. Newspaper, straw, and grass clippings are my favorites, because they don't change the soil's pH and they contribute nutrients as they decompose. You might also consider planting a live mulch or groundcover to help control weeds. This trend is one that finally seems to be catching on. Most groundcovers have small, inconspicuous flowers and when used as a live mulch, provide gardeners with another way to add color and interest to the garden. Thyme is one example. It establishes quickly from seed, helps control insects, locks in moisture around plants and it smells nice. There are also several varieties with different colored foliage. Laurentia, WinterCreeper, Ivy, Trailing Periwinkle, Creeping Phlox and Sedum are examples of other great live mulch choices.
Good luck!
Ellen
More Answers:
RE: Weed Killer for Flower Beds
Try to stop the weeds before they grow. In the Spring I use Preen on all of my flower beds. This product stops the weed seeds from sprouting and it works quite well. Then you won't have as many weeds grow. They also have one with fertilizer in it too. (05/06/2006)
What can I use in by flower beds that will control/eliminate weeds, but will not hurt the flowers?
Karen from Rochester, NY
Answers:
RE: Weed killer for flower beds?
07/25/2004
Weed the bed thoroughly first, then spread bark pieces (available at nurseries) or grass clippings as mulch. Mulch suppresses weeds, slows moisture loss and keeps soil cooler. Use of any "killer" compound to remove the weeds risks loss of valued plants as well, and leaves bad residues in the soil.
By Beth (Guest Post)
RE: Weed killer for flower beds?
07/25/2004
I use newspapers to mulch with. Lay papers down around your plants and saturate with water. You can tear these sheets to fit, shred the paper if you want to, or just put several whole pages together around your plants. Be sure to saturate them well with water. This helps to break down the paper. Then you can "top dress" this with more decorative mulch such as bark if you choose to do so. This keeps me from using any chemicals on my plants or around my children and pets. I find that any stray weeds that make it through can be easily pulled out because my soil seems "fluffier" with the broken down papers in it.
(Guest Post)
RE: Weed killer for flower beds?
07/14/2005
Careful with the bark pieces as they promote mushrooms.
