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Controlling Garden Weeds

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Easy, effective weed control in the home vegetable garden is largely a question of proper timing. Weeds are easiest to control just as their seeds are germinating and before the young seedlings are established. At this stage, a careful stirring of the soil, so the top inch or so may dry out well, will generally control weeds. If this is done at intervals of about a week, and as soon after each rain as the soil is dry enough to be worked safely, weeds will not be a serious problem. Once the weeds get a foothold, control means hard work. If allowed to grow, weeds crowd and shade vegetables and rob them of water and plant food.

Weeds should never be permitted to go to seed either in or around the edges of the garden. Special care is needed to keep weeds from seeding, especially late in the season when cultivation is less frequent.

Chemical weeding is not usually practical in home gardens since no one chemical is safe to use on all garden crops. Most vegetables are easily injured by the ester form of 2,4-D. If used near the garden, 2,4-D should be carefully applied to weeds only and with a separate sprayer. Do not spray when wind might blow the 2,4-D to vegetable crops or other sensitive plants.

Additional information on this topic is included in the Extension bulletin H-618, "Everybody's Garden Guide," which is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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