• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Frugal Gardening

Simple ways to save money while you garden

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Garden Frugally
  • Buy These
  • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

5 Ways to Banish Weeds Without Breaking the Bank

April 20, 2020 by Steph Coelho Leave a Comment

ways to banish weeds

I’ve got a little bit more work to do than usual this spring because of the mistakes I made when installing my raised beds five years ago. I was eager to get started and didn’t think I’d have issues with weeds since my beds were waist-high. I assumed I’d have to deal with the occasional weed, but in my haste, I never thought about what the roots of nearby cedars might do to my precious growing space. My initial error meant I needed to come up with cheap ways to banish weeds. 

Dealing with Weeds in my Garden

Fast-forward to last season, when I dealt with nutrient deficiencies. I was left scratching my head. What was going on? Why was my soil quality so poor? I spent plenty of time amending the soil each season and made sure to add compost and never over-fertilize. What was I doing wrong? Why was one bed more affected than another? It turns out the cedar hedge roots that border my garden were infiltrating one of my garden beds (the one closest to the hedges). I needed to find a quick solution to a problem that would only get worse over time. 

First, we trimmed back the hedges significantly, and then I got to work devising a plan to create a whole new layer of healthy soil. Last fall, my husband helped me cover the existing earth with leftover garden stones (cracked and broken and no longer of use in the yard). We layered stones, dead leaves, and cardboard, leaving a few inches that would need to be filled with soil mix in the spring. These past few weeks, I’ve slowly been topping up the raised beds with soil and compost. Here’s hoping I don’t encounter any issues this season! I trust I’ve rectified my mistake.

Don’t make the same error! Banish weeds and tree roots with the following tips:

Use Elevated Planters or Containers

Are you worried about tree roots getting into your raised planters? Don’t set them right on the ground. Build elevated, table-top planters or use movable containers to grow edibles and ornamentals. 

Put Down Cardboard

Cardboard will eventually break down, but it’s a useful tool for blocking out pesky weeds like dandelions that seem to pop back up each year without a care in the world. 

Use the SFG Method

If you’re looking for a planting method that limits weeds, try the square foot gardening method. The close spacing between plants acts as a kind of mulching mechanism to block out weed growth. It’s also super easy to spot weeds in an SFG plot because the invader is clearly the odd one out.

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

Mulch with wood chips, coco coir, straw, leaf mold, or shredded paper to conserve moisture and eliminate weed growth around your plants. Careful, don’t mulch too much. Too-thick a layer of mulch can suffocate plant roots in addition to weeds. 

Lay Down Newspaper

Don’t have cardboard boxes lying around and need a cheap, easily accessible alternative? Use shredded newspaper as mulch or sheets of newspaper to block out weeds when starting a new garden bed. 

Filed Under: weeds Tagged With: weed blocker, weeds

Previous Post: « 5 Free Garden Marker Ideas to Keep Track of Plants
Next Post: Is Double Digging Worth It? Let’s Find Out! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
  Thank you for Signing Up
Please correct the marked field(s) below.

1,true,6,Contact Email,21,false,1,First Name,21,false,1,Last Name,2

$30 Off your first cleaning when you sign up for a plan! (new customers only) Use code: AFF30OFF at Handy – Book Now!

Popular Posts

  • Vinegar Uses In GardenVinegar Uses In Garden by Steph Coelho 1. Clay Pot Cleaning: Vinegar will remove the white salt…
  • Troubleshooting the Seed Starting Process: Using Old SeedsTroubleshooting the Seed Starting Process: Using Old Seeds by Steph Coelho I'm typing this up on a gloomy day here in…
  • Garden For FreeGarden For Free by Steph Coelho Is it possible to have a lush flower garden, produce…
  • Frugal Container GardenFrugal Container Garden by Steph Coelho Pots and planters can be an expensive item if you're…
go with the flow gardening

Go With The Flow Gardening

Spring is here! I remember at this time last year, we were at the start of this pandemic and I was so excited to start the gardening season. It was too cold to start planting, but I had a ton of stuff started in my basement, and I was slowly starting to harden things off….

Read More

reasons why seeds don't germinate

10 Top Reasons Why Seeds Don’t Germinate

There are a lot of reasons why seeds don’t germinate. Knowing what can go wrong is the first step in solving the problem. If you’re struggling to start seeds this spring, here are a few things to look out for. Why Aren’t Seeds Germinating? Here are a few common reasons why seeds don’t germinate. It’s…

Read More

spring garden clean-up

How To Do A Spring Garden Clean-Up

It’s springtime! The season that signals to every gardener that it’s time to get started is here. In my neck of the woods, it’s also the ugliest time of year. I become tempted to start my spring garden clean-up right away,  but I know that soon the buds from my maple trees will fall and…

Read More

get free seeds from the government

How To Get Free Seeds From The Government

At first glance, seeds seem like a relatively inexpensive purchase. However, when buying several varieties, the cost can really add up quickly. A frugal gardener knows that there are plenty of ways to find seeds for cheap or free. Here’s how to get free seeds from the government. Getting Free Seeds From the Government The…

Read More

Footer

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework