Celebrate National Weed Your Garden Day June 13 with these weed-control tools

Some National Days are goofy, such as Wear A Plunger On Your Head Day on December 18, while others, such as National Rattlesnake Roundup Day on January 28, are just plain dangerous. In between, we have the safe and beneficial ones like National Weed Your Garden Day. National Weed Your Garden Day is celebrated every year on June 13, and it is a reminder that you need to weed your garden.

What are weeds?

In the broadest sense, weeds are simply plants growing where you do not want them to grow. However, a better definition, especially for people who tend a garden, is weeds are plants that do not offer any value. They do not fit in with your preferred garden aesthetics, and they are detrimental to other plants you want to flourish.

Why are weeds bad?

Before listing why weeds are undesirable, it is essential to understand that vilification is purely from a human perspective. We grow flowers for beauty and vegetables for food, and weeds interfere with that. In the bigger picture, weeds ensure nature finds a way to thrive. They provide food for wildlife and nectar for bees. They add organic matter to and help stabilize the soil. Additionally, some weeds are even edible.

However, when you are trying to grow a garden, weeds are invasive plants that cause a gardener grief in several ways:

• Rapid population establishment. Weeds have a large underground root system. When the growing season comes, they are often the first plants to sprout and thrive.
• Long-term survival. Weeds have an abundance of deep seeds in the soil beneath the germination layer. They can survive in this state for years before they grow.
• Aggressive nature. Weeds can and often do outgrow neighboring plants. If left unchecked, they can take over an entire garden.
• Reduce available nutrients. Just like flowers and vegetables, weeds need nutrients, water and sunlight to survive. Weeds will deplete these resources, so the plants you want to grow cannot thrive.
• Aesthetically undesirable. Though this is a matter of opinion, many find weeds to be aesthetically undesirable. They aren’t as pretty to look at as flowers.
• Hosts for disease and harmful insects. Weeds can serve as hosts to disease, fungi and pests detrimental to your garden.

How often do you need to weed your garden?

Ideally, weeds in your garden are something you should always be casually aware of. If you are admiring your garden and see a sprout, don’t wait; pluck it out. If you do not tend to monitor your garden, set one day each week aside for an inspection and weeding. Doing this regularly makes it a manageable task, not a marathon event. Weeds plucked before they mature can’t spread.

How do you control weeds?

Weed control can be categorized in three ways: mechanical, chemical and biological.

Mechanical

Mechanical weed control involves any physical action you take to inhibit, reduce or eradicate a weed population. This can include manually pulling the weeds out of the ground by hand or using a tool, such as a hand weeder or a weed eater.

Chemical

Any type of chemical weed control should be the last choice. While chemical methods, such as weed killers, are highly effective and time-efficient, they are not the best at targeting specific problems. Runoff can create undesirable conditions in other areas. In some rare situations, however, this might be your only option.

Biological

While biological weed control might not be practical for the homeowner, it is an effective method. This strategy utilizes living things, such as grazing animals or insects, to help control weed populations. Additionally, you can use bacteria and fungi to inhibit weed growth and development as well.

Best weed-control tools

Grampa's Weeder The Original Stand Up Weed Puller Tool

Grampa’s Weeder has been around since 1913. It lets you stand up while weeding to save wear and tear on your back and knees. The four-claw design is suitable for all soil types.

Sold by Amazon

Ames Welded Garden Hoe

When the soil is dry, a hoe tends to work better for removing weeds. This model has a serrated 6.25-inch blade to produce a cleaner cut and a 10-inch cushioned grip for comfort.

Sold by Home Depot

Fiskars Ergo Scratch Tool Garden Weeder

If you prefer to get down on your hands and knees and rip invasive weeds up by the roots, this ergonomically designed tool is for you. The head is made out of cast aluminum to be corrosion- and rust-resistant, and it has a hole in the handle for easy storage.

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Flame King 500,000 BTU Propane Torch Kit Heavy-Duty Weed Burner

A weed torch is a quick and effective way to rid your yard of troublesome weeds. These handy tools cause the plant’s cells to burst, effectively killing them in seconds. As a bonus, you can use it to melt ice, melt asphalt, thaw pipes and more.

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BLACK and DECKER 40V MAX 13-Inch 2-in-1 Cordless String Trimmer

A string trimmer lets you quickly neaten up your lawn by slicing down tall weeds in hard-to-reach places. This popular 40-volt model has an automatic feed spool and a variable speed transmission for convenience.

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Vigoro Bagged Premium Black Wood Mulch

Mulch is another strategy for attacking weeds. It can help prevent new seeds from taking root and blocks sunlight from those that have already established roots. Vigoro is available in three colors: black, red and brown.

Sold by Home Depot

Roundup Max Control 365 Ready-to-Use Comfort Wand Sprayer

Roundup’s Max Control can kill and prevent weeds from growing for up to 12 months. This no-mix formula has a wand that offers continuous spray and no bending or kneeling. It’s rainproof in 30 minutes and formulated for use on driveways, patios, sidewalks and gravel areas.

Sold by Amazon and Home Depot

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