How to Keep Weeds From Germinating

A weed is defined as a plant that is growing somewhere you don't want it to grow. As all gardeners know, dealing with weeds is an unavoidable but necessary aspect of gardening. The best way to reduce the weed population in your garden is to take steps to prevent them from germinating in the first place.

Organic mulch
Black plastic mulch
Pre-emergent herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Do not disturb the surface of the soil. Disturbing the surface of the soil brings tiny weed seeds to the surface, where they quickly germinate when exposed to sunlight.
- 2
  Remove mature weeds before they flower or produce seeds. If possible, remove the entire weed, including its root system.
- 3
  Put down a thick organic mulch, such as hay, straw or wood chips, to a depth of at least 2 inches. The mulch will keep the sunlight away from the weed seeds, preventing them from germinating.
- 4
  Cover the garden bed with black plastic prior to planting. Cut an “X” in the plastic for planting your desired plants.
- 5
  Use a pre-emergent weed killer. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent seeds from germinating. Apply them in early spring, when the bulk of annual weed seeds germinate. Make a second application in late summer to prevent the ripening seeds of perennial weeds from germinating.

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