I’m going to talk about chemical use around the garden today, along with some of the issues that crop up and really get me frustrated when I’m at work. This is a topic that I actually think that people need to learn more about rather than just thinking ‘I’ll get that weed sprayed and that’s the problem solved!’. It rarely, if ever is a problem solved.

The attitude that I often come across in my current job is that I should not be hand weeding at all. This comes from those that have no training and often no knowledge either. If I come across five weeds, no matter the size, I will pull them out. This is instead of going back to the shed where the chemicals are stored, mixing up a batch and then going back to where I’m working-this is usually at least ten minutes.

The same people also say we should have such chemicals mixed at all times with us. Unless I will actually use a full tank of whatever chemical within a reasonably sized area in a given day, that is not going to happen.

I get that weeds are considered ‘ugly’ and that many often think that you haven’t sorted out the problem, when you have. BUT, new weeds grow even when you do use spraying as a control method. Funny that isn’t it, considering that’s how plants work?

Why do weeds grow where and when they do?

I think that some understanding helps to explain this and it isn’t technical in any way. The basic idea is a case of nature doing what nature does best. Where there is bare earth, the plants we call weeds will come in and start growing-this is what they are made for. They start improving the soil and add nutrients to it as they decompose. If a natural ecosystem was present other plants would move in and take over. That can’t always happen in today’s world, with a lot of built up urban areas.

How can we reduce weeds without spraying all the time?

I have to say now that you will never stop all weeds, but there are things you can do to reduce them to barely any.

To start, think about having a garden bed full of plants, reducing the amount of soil available to weeds. There is more competition for sunlight, water and nutrients so the weeds don’t do as well!

If that’s not your style, you could have an emptier garden bed, but cover the bed with mulch which helps to suppress weeds and adds nutrients to the soil (if it’s organic mulch).

Also remember that it is always easier to pull out weeds a few times a week for two minutes than it is to leave it for weeks or months and then try something.