You spend a lot of time caring for your garden, making it look the best it can. Then, along comes a cluster of weeds, threatening to ruin your hard work.
Weeds are plants, too, but they’re often not welcome in our garden because they are unsightly, they can cause damage, and they grow extremely fast, threatening to take over a garden in no time at all. Many varieties are also invasive and can have a devastating effect on the ecosystem you’re trying to create.
So, how do you get rid of them, or better yet, prevent them from occurring at all? We’ve got some helpful tips.
Grow Plants Close Together

We know that spacing is incredibly important when you grow plants. But it also comes into play when you’re trying to prevent weeds from growing. The more plant coverage on the ground, the less space weeds have to grow and thrive.
This is a great way to put companion plants, those that benefit each other, together.
Add Mulch to Your Flower Beds

One of the most important things to drive off weeds is to keep your soil covered. This stunts the growth of weeds by depriving them of the elements they need to thrive.
Mulch is the easiest way to cover the ground, and you can either make your own or buy it at your local gardening store.
Be Consistent in Weeding

Consistency is key when it comes to weeding. It can be tedious work, but it’s necessary. For best results, pull the weeds out by their roots. That will prevent them from growing back.
However, if the roots are stubborn and you can’t remove or dig them out, you can still get back some semblance of control by lopping off the tops. This will help prevent it from seeding and, thus, spreading. Just remember to remove the heads from your yard. Collecting them and tossing them in the trash will help.
Water Only Where Plants Are

It can be tempting (and sometimes easier if you set up a watering system) to water your entire garden, but save the hydration for the areas where plants are. In other words, don’t water the soil. You’ll be creating the perfect environment for weeds to grow.
It’s okay to have some drought areas, like expanses of soil where you have no plants or grass.
Use Landscape Fabric for Newer Beds

If you’re establishing new flower beds or herb gardens, it’s a great idea to use landscaping fabric to help suppress the growth of weeds.
Cut holes in the fabric where the new plants will go and leave the rest of it intact. The good news is you don’t have to remove it right away, however, it’s ideal to replace it if it starts to wear and tear.
Check New Plants for Weed Seeds

When you bring new plants home from the nursery, they might come with some inadvertent hitchhikers. That’s why it’s a good idea to do a visual inspection and make sure there are no weed seeds hanging on to the plant or in the soil.
Sometimes, you can easily see the sprouts, just remove them before you place your plant in the soil.
Avoid Unnecessary Tilling

When weed seeds are buried under soil, they tend to lay dormant until they’re brought up to the surface again. Tilling or mulching soil can dig them up and reactivate them.
So, unless you absolutely need to (like at the beginning of the season), avoid tilling too much or disturbing the soil.
Use Weed Killer

Not everyone wants to use chemicals in their gardens, and that’s okay. It’s a personal choice. However, there are some formulas on the market that target weeds specifically, without killing or affecting other plants (or grass). There are organic formulas available as well.
Some of these chemicals can be toxic, so make sure to read all of the instructions carefully.