Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
without the valuable food they need to grow and mature. Below you
will learn different techniques to help keep your garden weed-free-or
at least to help you keep the weeds under control.
Know Your Weeds
Weed seeds are introduced to your garden by birds, the wind, and on
the bottom of your shoes. If a soil will not support weeds, it will not
support your vegetables, so weeds are a sign that your soil is fertile.
Seeds are brought to the surface by digging or tilling the soil. Once
they are exposed to the light, they start growing. Some weeds can
grow very fast, stealing the light, nutrients, and space from your
vegetable plants.
There are three types of weeds-annuals, biennials, and perennials.
Annual weeds live for only one season, but they produce thousands
of seeds to ensure their survival. They germinate in the spring, pro-
duce seeds in the summer, and die in the fall. The best way to con-
trol annual weeds is to pull them out or cut them off with a hoe
before they go to seed. Annual weeds grow quickly, so you need to
be on top of these weeds so they do not spread their seed. Some
examples of common annual weeds are knotweed, pigweed,
purslane, lamb's quarters, and chickweed.
A biennial weed grows the first year but does not produce a flower
or seeds until the second year of growth. The best way to control
these weeds is to remove them from your garden in the first year of
their growth so they have no chance of spreading their seeds. Com-
mon biennial weeds include burdock, mullein, and Queen Anne's
lace.
