Getting rid of weeds

Q. My vegetable garden is overrun with purslane and other weeds. What can I do to get rid of these weeds?

Ed from New Middletown

A. Weeds just love to grow in this warm, wet weather we’ve had. It’s the perfect environment, including keeping you out of the area when it is so wet.

Why so many weeds of the same species? Because each time we turn the soil, we expose weed seed from previous years. The light and moisture causes germination. We need to control all weeds before they set seed. When they do, the seed can remain for years to come.

Here are some weed control options to choose from.

Newspaper and mulch: My preferred method is using three to four layers of newspaper, overlapping them about 4 inches all over the garden. Water these down as you go to keep them from blowing away. Keep them down with a sprinkling of bark mulch, grass clippings or even compost. This will ensure they stay put. Newspapers will decompose before you start working the garden next season.

Cardboard: This material is good between rows, but not around plants. If you plan to use the same rows next year, this is fine. If not, be prepared to pick up the partially decomposed cardboard next spring before working the ground.

Plastic/fabric: While these both work well around garden vegetable plants, you’ll still have the space between rows to deal with. Plus, both materials need to be taken up at the end of the season.

Cultivation: Using a tiller can work, but can also set up a hardpan, reducing the ability of the roots of desire plants to penetrate deeper into the soil.

Pre-emergent herbicides: If you choose this route, be sure to read the label before making a purchase and apply only by the label.

For information, go to http://go.osu.edu/gardenweeds.

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Call the office hotline at 330-533-5538 to submit your questions. Clinic hours are Mondays and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon through October.