Cultivating soil in order to discourage weeds
 (Read 100+ times)
By Jared Garrett
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So I am an avid gardener. I love to have my fingers in the soil and I particularly love to have my kids join me in the garden. But I am by no means a pro. My neighbor from two doors down, on the other hand, is very much a pro. The other day I was complaining to her about the weeds that spring up from all the elm tree seed pods that fly around during the spring. So she said she never really has a problem with weeds. Stupefied, I listened as she described how she controlled weeds.
Shirley is her name. She told me that keeping the soil healthy and cultivating and nourishing it is the surest way to control weeds. Here is what she does.
Every Autumn, when the season is over, she has her husband till the garden up, with all of the dying veggie plants and some steer manure mixed in. He tills the garden well, breaking up the clumps and loosening it well.
Then, come Spring, Shirley has her husband till the garden again. This turns any nascent weeds upside down and kills their root system stone cold dead. After that, Shirley and her husband, Ted, top the garden soil with the bottom of their compost heap.
All of this activity keeps the soil's natural nutrient balance perfect, and also gets rid of the weeds that sometimes sprout from flying seeds. Furthermore, the soil promotes spectacular flowers and veggies. When these veggies and flowers grow strong and healthy, they basically do not allow weeds to come around and take up space.
Now if I combine her method of cultivating incredibly healthy soil with a fan rake, I'm in business. So I will be patient and not plant too early in the spring. Then, when the seed pods from the elm trees are done falling, I will rake them out. Then I will turn over the soil and allow my great soil and healthy plants to fight off those wicked weeds.
This way I don't have to break my back. Hey, if it worked for Shirley, it ought to work for you and me as well.
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Author Bio Box: Jared Garrett
 http://www.helium.com/user/show/45690
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