The Anglo-Saxons called it Weod Monath (Weed Month) due to the rapid plant growth that takes place in August. While other’s find the act of weeding relaxing and rewarding, there is a great many who dislike it as much as housework!
Bare soil is unusual in nature and weeds will fill any spaces the can find. Try increasing your groundcover with low growing and dense plants such as shrubs, ferns or hostas. You’ll be encouraging wildlife into your garden too by providing them with new habitats.
Weeds can be an indicator of soil health, which in turn can help you to improve your garden. Thistle, ragweed and clover can indicate poor soil conditions so try adding plenty of mulch around your plants. Not only will this introduce more nutrients to the soil, a 2-3 inch covering will prevent any weeds from appearing. Mulch has the added benefit of stopping your plants from drying out too quickly which will no doubt have been a problem for all gardeners this summer. Try Westland’s Landscape Bark produced from responsible conifer plantations and certified by the FSC®:
Getting the hose or sprinkler out to do you watering may be quick but is counter-productive when keeping weeds at bay, so take a little time to water what you want to grow. It can be helpful to make a ditch around your plants so the water doesn’t run away and is directed to the plant roots.
The trick is to hoe when dry, or pull out when wet. Don’t be tempted to hoe after the rain has been as the roots with just make their way back into the soil.
Some weeds are actually quite lovely when flowering in your garden so you may just find they’re best left undisturbed.