How to Keep Weeds From Growing in My Cottage Garden

Design the borders and beds in your cottage garden for easy maintenance. Limit the flower beds to 3 to 4 feet wide so that you can reach in from both sides to cultivate the soil, disrupting weed growth. If a wider border is integral to the proportions of your landscape design, incorporate stepping stones in the plan that give you access to the back of the border for weed control activities.

Block sunlight from reaching the ground with a canopy of foliage, reducing the chance for weed seeds to germinate. Surround the bases of trees, antique roses and climbing vines with leafy, bushy plants that shade the surrounding soil. As your cottage garden matures, fill in empty spots with large-leaf perennials or evergreen shrubs, such as azaleas, to inhibit weeds from getting enough sun to sprout and grow.

Install hard-surface paths and walkways through the garden to reduce the amount of exposed soil where weeds can take root. Flagstones, pebbles and bricks are attractive options that complement the cottage garden aesthetic. For a softer visual impression, cover your pathways with a 4 to 6-inch layer of wood chips.

Spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around all your plants to suppress weed growth. Grass clippings, compost, straw and shredded leaves also help retain moisture in the soil. Replenish the mulch layer annually, or more often if it wears down from wind and rain.

Pull emerging weeds by hand before their root systems take hold. Use a weeding tool with a pointed end to loosen the roots without damaging nearby plants. Control dandelions and other noxious weeds growing in lawn-covered areas of your yard before they go to seed and spread into your planting beds.