The Best Weed Control for Flower Beds

Hand Pulling

• A day after it rains or after the flowers have been watered, remove weeds by hand. Grab the weeds near the roots and pull. Keep pulling slowly if the roots are long, trying not to break them. Use a weeding tool, such as those with an arrow-shaped blade that can be inserted into the soil to further help loosen the soil. Keep up with hand pulling the weeds so the garden does not become overwhelmed with weeds and because young weeds are easier to extract than mature ones.

Mulch

• After planting, add 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the flowers, covering all the empty spaces. If this wasn't done at planting, do it after hand pulling the weeds. Mulch will shade out the weeds, preventing seeds from germinating. Pine needles, shredded park and leaves make good mulches.

Flower Spacing

• When planting flowers in an outside garden, plant them a bit closer than recommended. This will limit the space where weeds can grow. Also, as the flowers mature and blossom, they will fill in the space more quickly and provide shade to the bare spots, which further hinders weed growth.

Herbicides

• In a flower garden, it's best to use herbicide plant flowers because it's often difficult not to spray it on desired plants in the process. Use a pre-emergent herbicide, such as trifluralin or oryzalin, if the weeds have yet to grow. Apply a post-emergent herbicide, such as 2, 4-D or dicamba, if the weeds are already present. Use herbicides with caution. Be sure children and pets are indoors, wear gloves and other protective gear, and apply on a windless day. Read the label for proper application procedures and waiting times for safely planting flowers.