How to Control Weeds Pre-Emergence in a Vegetable Garden

Weeds in a vegetable garden are not only unsightly, they rob vegetables of critical water and soil nutrients. They should be combated vigorously and even prevented before they sprout. Although weeds may not be visible in the garden, the seeds are lying dormant in the soil and will sprout when temperatures rise. There are some pre-emergent steps that you can take that will prevent the weeds' seeds from germinating.

Black weed barrier fabric
Scissors
Landscape stakes
Hammer
Organic mulch (optional)
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Place a roll of black landscape fabric at one end of the garden in between the vegetable rows. Unroll it until you reach the end of the row, and then cut the piece off of the roll using a pair of scissors.
- 2
  Turn around and place the roll of fabric directly next to the first, overlapping it by at least 3 to 4 inches. Unroll it, moving in the opposite direction until you reach the starting spot. Cut it off with the scissors.
- 3
  Repeat the process to install landscape fabric on top of all exposed areas of soil in the vegetable garden.
- 4
  Place a metal landscape stake, also called an anchor pin, at the side corner of one of the pieces of landscape fabric. Hammer it into the ground until it is flush with the soil. Repeat the process to install additional landscape stakes every 3 to 5 feet along all edges of the fabric.
- 5
  Spread an additional 1 to 2 inches of organic mulch, such as straw, pine straw or bark, on top of the landscape fabric to improve the appearance in the garden.

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