Stupid Weeds

**Saundra** · 06-10-2008, 10:46 AM

So I am overwhelmed right now because of the weeds in my flower bed. Before my husband left for Iraq last Summer he tore out all the shrubs because they were overgrown and half dead. We were going to start over but as life has it ..things don't always happen as planned. Now the weeds have taken over and I have no idea what to do to calm them down. Anyone have any advice on how to keep this flower bed clean without weeding ALL the time? I'm desperate.

**FrugalMomof3** · 06-10-2008, 11:05 AM

Well you might have to spray them and pull them out but also put down some weed block, I usually double my layers of weed block because no matter what they get through 1 layer, if you didnt get all the roots.

I am sure you could go to home depot or Lowes or any other gardening place and they would be able to give you some other advice.

**Saundra** · 06-10-2008, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by FrugalMomof3

Well you might have to spray them and pull them out but also put down some weed block, I usually double my layers of weed block because no matter what they get through 1 layer, if you didnt get all the roots.

I am sure you could go to home depot or Lowes or any other gardening place and they would be able to give you some other advice.

Is there a certain brand you use?

I'm really clueless when it comes to this outdoor stuff.

**Russ** · 06-10-2008, 11:23 AM

Spray Roundup.. but this will kill flowers. If there are weeds within the shrubs you can make a batch in a bucket. Then put on one of those rubber kitchen gloves and over that, put on a cotton glove.

Dip your double gloved hand in the solution, wring it out as much as possible so it's not dripping, then wipe the solution onto the weeds.

**suki** · 06-10-2008, 11:34 AM

Vinegar also kills weeds and is an organic method of removing them. With vinegar, you won't have the residual effect killing off your pretty flowers once you plant them. I'd also recommend mulching heavily around the flowers to control the weeds. I don't use weed barrier, just mulch.

The best method for removing them is to simply get in and get your hands dirty by digging them out, get the roots and all. You'll need to work the dirt over well before replanting anyway. Then, amend your soil, if the shrubs weren't doing well, it's likely the soil is poor and flowers will suffer without amending it. So, dig up the weeds, turn the soil a bit, add some compost, put your flowers in, cover with mulch, water, enjoy and pull the weeds as they come up!

**Russ** · 06-10-2008, 11:39 AM

I agree Suki and my wife and I have this very discussion every spring. The way I weed my veggie garden is almost everyday! Pull em often and when they are small and you will not become overwhelmed by them.

It is part of my routine when I walk around looking at things.

**IntlMom** · 06-10-2008, 11:44 AM

Here is our house it works like this:
I am the organic, or at least leaning to organic one, so I want to pull them.....me and the kids.
My hubby is all about Round-up, he's an agricultural pest control advisor (or was), so he is always telling me that this chemical is fine to use, and this chemical is safe....yadda yadda yadda.
Basically, if I don;t get out there and pull them, he sprays, so it's a race in our house!! (course he gets mad if I pull them, but I'd rather appologize than ask for permission!)

So anyway, I'm with the other, either pull em, or spray em.....just depends where you land on the environmental aspect.

**Buc-O-Mama** · 06-10-2008, 01:10 PM

I agree with the vinegar to kill them. Nothing has prevented weed growth for us like mulching with pine bark nuggets. There's something about them that keep weeds from peeking up at all.