04 September 2008
Getting Rid of Weeds... Organically
When going organic the hardest thing to do is kill the weeds. Although I've never really used a lot of weed killer I have always got on my hands and knees and pulled the weeds out. I never knew that I was already doing some things organically! But for those who are used to using the spray there is no such thing as an organic weed killer. The only true organic way to effectively control weeds is by physically removing them and using preventative measures.
When starting a garden it is important to start with the cleanest ground possible. The cleaner it is from the beginning, the easier it will be to control future weeds. This can be hard to do especially if you have a big garden but for those who only have a small garden they should try it sometime. You should dig the entire plot and remove as many weeds and roots as possible. This could be a hard day's work! Do not put the weeds in the compost bin! They will still grow in the compost bin and spread and you don't what that. If you start your digging early in the season place a tarp over the ground this will block the light that the weeds need and kill them. If some weeds happen to grow pick em as soon as you see em! Never ever let them flower, that will just spread them through the whole garden.
Mulching is a good way to help prevent weeds from growing. It cuts off the light that they need to grow. Black plastic is the most effective way to prevent weeds from growing. Just cut holes where you want your plants to sprout through and you can cover the plastic with bark or potting soil to try and hide it. You can also use paper. The paper will disnagrate in to the soil eventually which means you won't have to get it out. You can use bark as your only means of mulching. You can also use a combination of all of these to whatever suits your situation.
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About Patt M. Judd
Landscaping
If you are going to plant trees and shrubs around your home, here are some guidelines: In Tennessee, if you desire morning shade, plant trees on the Southeast exposure of the the house. If you desire afternoon shade, trees should be planted on the Southwest exposure of the structure. A good choice for summer and winter energy savings is to plant deciduous species (those that loose their leaves). These will allow for shade in the summer and heating from the sun in winter. Also, we encourage you to carefully select the type the tree being considered. Decide what you really want from this tree or shrub – shade, fall color, or just eye appeal. Do you need a deciduous tree to shade an outside air-conditioning unit in the summer, while letting sunlight through in the winter? Do you want a line of evergreens to provide a windbreak in the winter and privacy the rest of the year? Another factor to consider is maintenance. Are the trees or shrubs drought resistant, or will they require large amounts of water? Along with these considerations, you should also think about their location in relation to plumbing lines, power lines, your foundation, roof, and gutters.
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