Weed control

[PlantSwap]

OK everyone. Time to share. What tips can you offer to help with weed control in flower beds?

I've built several raised beds around my yard using a good soil mix. On some of them, I've tried that black porus weed cloth and others I haven't. After applying mulch, you can't tell which ones have it and which ones don't. After a few weeks, you still can't tell which ones have it and which ones don't - they both have an equal amount of weeds growing in them!

Maybe I'm just using the wrong type of mulch (hardwood), but if I don't pull weeds every weekend, my beds look awful.

[alankgore1969]

what type of weeds broadleaf or grassey

[PlantSwap]

Both. I've got grasses that twine their way in between the day lillies (and everywhere else) and other miscellaneous weeds that pop up randomly.

[missg]

I layer news paper 3 sheets thick, on top
of soil, I add mulch on top of the news paper.
The weeds still come but not as fast, and as soon
as they pop up I pull the weeds out.
It work for me.
Gale

[PlantSwap]

Does that allow the plant roots to breathe? I don't want to smother the roots with an impermeable covering.

[alankgore1969]

do you care if it its chemical controlled or not

[PlantSwap]

Yes, i prefer organic methods.

[missg]

I start to layer the news paper about 4 to 5" away from the stem
of the plant. Also, news paper with color ink do not use in vegetable
gardens, I'm going to try to send pictures of my plants.
Gale

[alankgore1969]

I use a chemical to rid weeds from beds and plants but for organic I use some vinegar 20% and some orange oil (as surfactant) organic and brush it on the leaf if its a edible crop. Other wise I use chemicals but that’s the commercial landscaper in me by the way the vinegar mixture is nonselective it will kill anything so that’s why I brush it on.