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The Cheapest and Best Way to Get Rid of Weeds Without Chemicals

June 21, 2018

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Are you fed up with spending all your free time weeding in your garden, only to have the area you weeded be full of weeds three days later? Would you like to be able to deal with the weeds once, with minimal upkeep for the rest of the season? Do you hate the thought of spraying harsh chemicals everywhere?

Here’s how to get rid of most of the weeds, and take back your summer.

Do you wish there was a low maintenance way to keep weeds and grass out of your garden?  Mulch is the answer!  Keep weeds out of your landscaping, vegetable garden, pathways, around raised beds and more! #gardening #mulch #mulching #gardeningtips #weeds #weeding

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything, I earn a bit of extra coffee money at no cost to you.  Thanks for supporting Shifting Roots!

P.S. Love my vinyl raised bed? Get yours here!

The Four Ways to Get Rid of Weeds

There are generally four ways to get rid of weeds: spray them with chemicals, spray them with a natural solution that usually doesn’t work that well, pick them for an eternity, or suffocate them.

Actually, there’s a fifth way: Accept the weeds as your new overlord and use the useful ones in salads, herbal teas, and salves. I am not that kind of garden blogger, but there are lots of lovely ones on the Internet who can steer you in that direction.

Anyway. I’ve tried all four methods, and the way I like the best and feel is the most efficient is to suffocate them. Best of all, it’s easy, requires little maintenance, and the equipment can be gotten for free or low-cost.

It can also be expensive, but doesn’t have to be. . .more on that later.

Want to feel better about the weeds in your yard?  See the overgrown mess I started with, and how it looks now.

Do you wish there was a low maintenance way to keep weeds and grass out of your garden?  Mulch is the answer!  Keep weeds out of your landscaping, vegetable garden, pathways, around raised beds and more! #gardening #mulch #mulching #gardeningtips #weeds #weeding
Yes, there are still a few weeds that manage to poke their way through. However, they are super easy to pull and will be suffocated more when I add a new layer of mulch next year.

Use Mulch to Save Time and Effort in the Garden

Mulch is a material that is placed around a plant to enrich or protect the soil.  In other words, gardeners put down mulch to suffocate weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and depending on the mulch type, add nutrients back into the soil.

If you’re using mulch in the vegetable garden, wait until the plants are a few inches high so you don’t accidentally suffocate them.

Once mulch is applied, any weeds that manage to creep through or grow on top will be extremely easy to pull out.  Instead of weeding for hours on end every week, you’ll be able to weed for 5 minutes once a month, if that.

Related: How to Tell the Difference Between Weeds and Plants in the Garden

Do you wish there was a low maintenance way to keep weeds and grass out of your garden?  Mulch is the answer!  Keep weeds out of your landscaping, vegetable garden, pathways, around raised beds and more! #gardening #mulch #mulching #gardeningtips #weeds #weeding

Multiple Types of Mulch

When you think of what mulch is, likely coloured wood chips come to mind.  But mulch can be so much more!  You can use:

  • grass clippings
  • straw
  • leaves
  • compost
  • newspaper
  • wood chips
  • coloured or natural shredded wood
  • rubber chips
  • stones

Each of these mulches has it’s own pros and cons.  For use in your vegetable garden, I recommend grass clippings (as long as they’re fairly weed free), leaves, compost, newspaper with no colour, and any natural wood chip product that is not coloured.  If you are planning a landscaping project, you can use whatever product you like.

Side note: While stone looks beautiful, you should also purchase a leaf blower if you choose that route.  Over time, dirt, seeds, and leaves collect in between the stones, making your mulch look unattractive.

Step One: Pick a Mulch Barrier

To lay down mulch, you must first choose your barrier.  There are 3 barriers that you can use:

  • Landscape Fabric
  • Cardboard
  • Newspaper

You do not have to get rid of the weeds or grass first in the area you want to mulch if you’re creating a pathway.  However, it is helpful and you definitely should get rid of any weeds if you’re mulching around your vegetables.

Creating a low maintenance landscape in your garden, backyard, front yard, or flower bed is so easy with mulch!  I'll show you how to lay mulch as an alternative to constant weeding. #gardeningtips #gardening #mulch #mulching #weedcontrol #weeds
Almost finished our front yard project. The two wooden raised beds in the front will be upgraded next year!

Cardboard and newspaper are both effective, free, and will decompose into the soil–perfect for the vegetable garden!

Step Two: Lay Down the Barrier

Using newspaper? Use at least 6 stacked sheets of newspaper and make sure the ends overlap.  Water down the area and cover with a light layer of compost, soil, or other heavier mulch to keep the newspaper from flying away.

Using cardboard?  Remove all tape and staples and make sure your ends overlap.  Cover with another mulch.  In this photo I’ve used natural wood chips.  I love the result and the area has remained virtually weed free.

Using Landscape Fabric?  You get what you pay for, so use the highest quality fabric you can afford.  Landscape fabric is a pain to dig out and replace if you change your mind.

I much prefer the other two methods so I can easily change things up or just layer a bit more mulch on each year to keep the weeds at bay

Step Three: Lay Down the Mulch!

Not sure how much to use?  Here’s a handy guide:

<a data-pin-do=”embedPin” data-pin-terse=”true” href=”https://www.pinterest.com/pin/569001734153584824/”></a>

I recommend using 4 inches.  Anything less and weeds will be poking through in a month.

Last year I bought mulch in bags and was disappointed with how little an area I could cover with one bag.  I cheaped out and spread my mulch out to 2 inches–only to have all my weeds and nuisance ferns pop right back out a few weeks later. However, mulch doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

Creating a low maintenance landscape in your garden, backyard, front yard, or flower bed is so easy with mulch!  I'll show you how to lay mulch as an alternative to constant weeding. #gardeningtips #gardening #mulch #mulching #weedcontrol #weeds

Falling in love with my vinyl raised garden beds?  Get yours here!

How to Save Money on Mulch

Landscaping fabric and bags of mulch from the store can quickly add up.  Save money by using newsprint or cardboard as your first barrier.  If you don’t have any lying around, grocery stores will often give you boxes for free.  Make a quick call to a friend or post on kijiji and you’d easily have enough people offering you their old newspapers.

Grass clippings and leaves are free and many people would be willing to give you theirs if you don’t have a lawn or trees.

Tree removal companies often offer shredded wood mulch for free or low-cost.  Just call ahead for a pick up time.  Some will even deliver to your door if they have a tree removal scheduled for your neighbourhood.

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Common Questions About Mulching

Hurray!  You’re committed to using mulch in your landscape or garden.  Here’s what you still might be wondering. . .

Can I lay mulch directly over my weeds?

In short–yes.  However, it’s much more effective to apply a barrier such as newspaper, cardboard or landscape first.

Do I really need 4 inches of mulch?  That seems like a lot.

Four inches does seem like a lot of mulch, but you really do need that much.  The only exception to this rule is when you are landscaping and you get close to a plant.  In that case, you need to reduce it to 2 inches at the base.

When should I add mulch?

You can add mulch at any time of the year as long as any plants in the area you want to mulch are visible.  A height of at least four inches is best.

Is it really as low maintenance as it sounds?

Pretty much!  You’ll still have to pick out the odd weed or blade of grass, but it will come out easily.

How long does mulch last?

Unless you’re using rock or plastic “wood” chips, your mulch will decompose over time.  Expect to top up mulches made with grass or paper at least once a season, soft wood mulches 2-3 years, and cedar mulch 5-8 years.

Will you use mulch in your garden?  Where will you use it and what kind will you choose?

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Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

6 Comments
Filed Under: Uncategorised Tagged: Gardening, landscaping, mulch, weed control, Weeds

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Kim says

    October 8, 2018 at 10:29 pm

    Hi! I live in Saskatoon too, and just bought a house (getting possession this month!) I'm excited to start gardening projects and I'm over the moon about finding a blogger from Saskatoon! Your stuff is really good and relatable! Where did you buy (if any) mulch from tree cutters around town? Just planning ahead and looking for good deals. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      October 9, 2018 at 9:51 am

      Hi Kim! Hurray! I'm always excited when people from Saskatoon or Saskatchewan find me. And congrats on your new house!! I got my mulch from Wilsons. I chose the cheapest stuff and it was $60 a yard, plus $80 for delivery. Worth it if you have a big project and no truck. All of the tree companies around Saskatoon sell mulch. I believe tree whisperer will sometimes do it for free, but I think most of the other companies charge $25-$50 a load and you must bring your own truck.
      Reply
  2. Evelise says

    July 20, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    Hi, I have a client that wants me to move mulch away from each plant before watering and then put the mulch back after watering.. This sounds crazy to me and way too time consuming. She feels the water runs off the mulch and does not reach the roots. What are your thoughts on this please. Thanks bunches!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      July 23, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      That is way too much work. The mulch should be in a bowl shape around the plant if she's worried about the water getting in. Hope that helps!
      Reply
  3. cecile says

    November 28, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    I love that white flower bed!
    Reply
  4. Michael Briansky says

    December 16, 2019 at 7:34 am

    A successful gardener advised me to use mulch to get rid of weeds. While researching on this, I came across the information given here. This has been the best decision that I have ever made for my garden. I used leaves mulch and it not only controls weed but also acts as a form of manure.
    Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

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  • How to Start a Cut Flower Garden
  • How to Make Watercolour Decorated Sugar Cookies

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Oh friends, if any of my nice, curated photos sums Oh friends, if any of my nice, curated photos sums up how this last week went, I think it's this one.  Babies crying, trying to stay calm, outwardly looking like it's all under control, but feeling very overwhelmed.⁠
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This post isn't gardening related, so feel free to scroll by if you're here only for the gardening content.⁠
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Thankfully it's January, and I keep reminding myself that the Internet will not break if I don't keep to my self-imposed posting schedule.  But it doesn't make a week full of teething-and-not-sleeping baby any easier. ⁠
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Felicity slept through the night for the first time ever last Monday, then proceeded to punish us with frequent wakings and terrible sleep until Saturday.  And as tough as this is in regular times, in Covid times its extra frustrating because I don't have my village.⁠
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I can't just call up another Mama friend and go for coffee at her house.  I can't take my son out for a Mommy-and-Dominic date because everything he'd want to do isn't really much of an option.  There's no playgroup or play place to just drop in on.  And forget just taking everybody out to get groceries just for a change of scenery.⁠
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I know people have way more serious problems than this, and I hope I don't sound whiny and entitled, it's not my intention.  Please know that I'm very grateful for my family and job and that so far we've been healthy. ⁠
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A lot of you who follow me do so in part because you are also juggling life with very little people through this strange time.  I hope that in occasionally sharing my struggles, it makes you feel better about your struggles. (You're struggling too sometimes. . . right?)
Do you tend to plan out your garden to the nth deg Do you tend to plan out your garden to the nth degree, do you just wing it, or are you somewhere in-between?⁠
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I tend to plan it all out, and then when I actually get out in the field, so to speak, the plan changes a little bit. ⁠
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If you need a garden planner that's both pretty & practical, my garden planner is available in the ebooks section.  It's only $9 and has lots of upgrades from the previous planner.  Use code CANADA if you're Canadian to account for the exchange.⁠
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P.S. You can see exactly what you're getting in the video--no surprises. ⁠
P.P.S  I get my planner bound and printed at a printing place.  Lots of people just print their own and put the sheets in a binder.
Are you gardening in containers this year? When y Are you gardening in containers this year?  When you're shopping for vegetable seeds, look for varieties that have names with words like patio, tiny, small, etc.  While lots of vegetable varieties will do fine in a container, you'll have an easier time with ones that are specifically bred for that situation.⁠
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📸 by @blushbrandphotography
I'm living the pepper dream in this photo. While I'm living the pepper dream in this photo.  While these ones are a bit on the small side, who doesn't want ripe peppers in July in zone 3?!?! ⁠
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Over the years I've gotten better at growing peppers, and I promise I'll spill my secrets in February when it's actually time to start them.  Until then, get yourself all or one of my four favourite varieties: ⁠
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🌶️Carmen⁠
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Do you have a favourite pepper variety?⁠
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Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately? It Have you flipped open a seed catalogue lately?  It's so easy to get completely overwhelmed, especially if you're new to gardening.  Why are there so many varieties of everything and which ones do I choose?⁠
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Here's how I try to narrow it down.⁠
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🌤️ Short growing season like me?  Try and prioritize varieties that have short dates to maturity.⁠
🥗 What do you or your family actually eat?  While I think you should always try a couple of new things, there's no sense in planting a giant garden filled with vegetables that you're not going to cook with. ⁠
🥒 Do you care whether your vegetables are heirlooms or hybrids?  Heirlooms are the kind that have been around for 50+ years and you can save seeds from.  Believe it or not, this year we're prioritizing hybrids for some of our garden.  The Hermit @mgsraney is obsessed with production this year, so anything that's going in "his" greenhouse better be able to produce a lot.  I'm using more heirlooms in my "glamour garden" as we call it, because I want things that are pretty and I can save seeds from.⁠
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What do you prioritize when you're picking out seeds?⁠
Last week we started thinking about our plans for Last week we started thinking about our plans for cut flower gardening, now this week we start thinking about plans for our vegetable gardens.  Unlike cut flowers, there's not as many vegetables that need to be started ridiculously early.  However, it's still fun to plan and dream and get your thoughts sorted.⁠
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I'm curious--what size of garden do you have to work with?  Are you on an acreage or farm, city backyard, or do you have a couple of pots on an apartment patio?⁠
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As for me, I have quite a mix.  I have my container garden on my backyard deck, the small cut flower garden in my yard, then vegetables in raised beds.  We also garden at my Mother-in-law's acreage, so there's a giant garden over there where we're figuring out how to grow food on a larger scale.  Then finally, sometimes my Mom grows things for me in her garden if I'm nervous that I'll ruin them in my own garden--call it a backup garden if you will.⁠
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I hope you've enjoyed this week of chatting about I hope you've enjoyed this week of chatting about the best flowers to plant in a cut flower garden.  There's so many options, these 5 that I talked about all week don't even come close.  If you need more help creating a small cut flower garden, I created this plan intended for a raised bed (but you can plant it in-ground too.⁠
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