Is there an easy way of keeping flower beds weed free?

Question

My flower beds are being overgrown with a creeper weed, it has green leaves with little white fowers, and buttercups and dock leaves.

I have spent half mornings digging them all up, but within the week, they are all back again.

I am wary of using weed killer, as I don't want to harm the flowers and hebes planted

Answer 1

There is a granular product called "Preen".  It is a pre-emergent.  It will not kill weeds or plants that are already growing in a given location, but it will prevent any new seeds from sprouting.

It is recommended that Preen be scattered in garden beds in springtime----when the forsythia is coming into bloom.  Because that is the time that weed seeds that are already in the soil come to life.

Since spring is a long time away and you have weeds now, I recommend that you pull weeds now, that you also scatter some Preen in the spots where you have weeded.  It will ensure that your hard work does not have to be duplicated within a week!.

Good luck.  They sell Preen at any garden center and any place that sells fertilizers.

Answer 2

Yes.

Answer 3

Weed the beds more often; it should only take minutes if you're doing it frequently.

Answer 4

Use about a 3" layer of mulch.

Answer 5

use newspaper - weeds and/or grass need light to grow.