GARDEN WEEDS | ERADICATE THEM WITH RAISED BEDS
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY....I WAS ONCE A TERRIBLE VEGETABLE GROWER.
Why? Because as soon as weed season began, working down at the allotment became too much like hard work. I wasn't growing; I was weeding. Always. Every weekend. Forever. And when May, June and July came around (typical holiday times), I would begin to panic because even one weekend away meant weeds would get the upper hand.
When I left my allotment behind, moved to a house with a larger garden and set about creating a new garden, it was time to take a stand. And that stand was with raised beds (you can see on my YouTube channel how I made them). Because they're raised off the ground, it's harder for the weeds to get going. It's also easier to pinch the darn things out when you first notice them. And, even better you DON'T HAVE TO WEED THE PATCH FIRST!
I know, you're thinking, 'Did I read that correctly?'
Yes. Yes, you are. If you're starting raised beds from scratch you can just build them right on top of a lawn, weeds, or other wilderness. I wouldn't recommend putting down weed suppressant membrane because your veggie roots need somewhere to go. Instead, put down several layers of cardboard to smother the weeds and then fill those raised beds up right to the brim.
Early beets growing in a raised bed.
So, not only can you recycle some cardboard, you can also use up some of that compost heap (just buy in bags of soil if you're starting afresh).
I have been amazed at how MUCH EASIER it is - if only I'd known this years ago. Now I get to water and garden instead of constantly pulling out weeds. Okay...truth....I was a little bad and my first compost wasn't so well rotted, and that meant it came with some weeds and bulbs I have to periodically remove.
ONGOING MAINTENANCE
With raised beds, there's minimal maintenance. I haven't built mine particularly strongly; the wood will rot after 3/4 years and then I'll replace them. The compost will naturally sink over time as you grow veggies, so simply top up between rotations with fresh, enriched soil from the compost heap!
I know it might sounds too good to be true but I'm utterly astounded by the lack of weeding I need to do. And when I DO need to weed, they come out so easily!
Have you used raised beds? How have you found them?