1. Get In There Early
Weed early and often to keep weeds from taking hold. Hold the hoe blade horizontal to the ground and scrape weed seedlings from the vegetable garden and in and around ornamentals. Avoid tilling deeply – it can bring buried seeds to the surface, where they will sprout. To save your back, use an ergonomic hoe with a gooseneck that lets you stand up straight.
(Photo: Thinkstock)
3. Smother Them
Spread an 8 cm-deep layer of organic mulch, such as straw, wood chips or compost, around the base of plants to smother weeds and retain soil moisture.
(Photo: Thinkstock)