Weeding and mulching

Controlling weeds is the bane of gardens. But it doesn’t have to be. By getting them under control early in the year, you can prevent the headache of meticulous picking and pulling, and improve the look and health of your gardens. There are a couple of ways Mighty Ants recommends dealing with them in combination with mulching: pick n pull and weed whacking.

1. Pick n Pull

   The first method is to simply pick them out of the soil. We recommend digging just under the surface and lifting up the soil to pull them out in small batches. The goal is to remove the roots without disturbing the soil too much. This is a very effective method to stop weeds that are already established, but doesn’t prevent developing sprouts.

2. Weed whacking

   The second method is to just weed whack them as close to the soil as possible. This can be a really effective method without disturbing the soil in combination with a thick 4” layer of mulch. Mulching prevents weeds from re-growing by eliminating light reaching the soil surface. Without light weeds cannot grow.

In either case, pick n pull or weed whacking, we recommend addressing weeds in the spring time with topping of a 4” layer of hemlock or compost mulch. Mulch also serves multiple beneficial purposes in gardens. In addition to weed control, mulching helps prevent soil erosion by adding a barrier between the soil and elements like rain and wind, and by maintaining moisture in your garden. Mulched gardens tend to bear healthier plants than non-mulched gardens.

Save yourself the headache of weeding and improve the health of. your gardens by letting Mighty Ants take care of it.