CLINTON TOWNSHIP ORGANIC COMMUNITY GARDEN
Organic gardeners face challenges.
Be prepared.
Gather ideas and information for success.
Mulching
The best approach to controlling weeds is to prevent them in the first place. The secret to doing this is mulch. If mulching your garden early in the season seems like too much hassle, try to imagine how sweaty and exhausted you'll be weeding your plot in the hot summer sun!
Mulching also gives you secondary benefits:
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Conserves water
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Moderates soil temperature
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Organic mulches feed the soil
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Prevents erosion
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Reduces the spread of soil-borne pathogens
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It looks nice!
Learn more about the varied mulching options. Note that while black plastic and synthetic weed fabrics are not organic, their use as a mulch is encouraged at the OCG. Or consider using organic corn based landscape fabric.
Cultivation
Gently and shallowly scraping at the surface of your soil with a garden hoe or rake will disturb young weed seedlings enough to kill them or at least reduce their vigor until the next time you cultivate. This is most effective when done routinely and when weeds are small. Use care not to disturb the roots of your desired plants!
Hand Pulling
If all else fails, pull 'em out! Highly effective.
If at first you
don't succeed...
...try and try again. Don't get discouraged if, even after doing your very best, the weeds come back. Weeds are survivors! Just keep up the good work and your persistance is guaranteed to reduce the weed pressure in your garden.