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PRINTTips for Weeding
I have spent considerable time working around my house and cottage getting gardens ready for summer warmth. I am reminded of a frequent question about getting rid of those nasty weeds that seem to grow regardless of the weather.
One way to reduce the survival rate of weeds in a new bed is to lay down two or more thickness of heavy cardboard, or 10 – 20 sheets of newspapers. Next pile organic matter on the paper. Put the coarsest matter at the bottom. For the top few inches, use compost mixed with topsoil. In weedy areas, the deeper the bed, the better. You can then plant in the bed. The paper will stop most of the weeds from emerging through the bed. Those that make it will be weak.
There are meshes sold in farm stores and other folks use a heavy duty plastic. Newspapers seem to be the mort natural and will do the trick.
Technorati Tags Weeds
Peter Geiger is the Editor of the Farmers' Almanac. Read his full biography here.Free Weekly eNewsletter
Farmers' Almanac Long Range Weather
February 8th - February 11th
- Northeast U.S.
Wet snow mixed with rain Mid-Atlantic north through New England; slushy accumulations of 4+" possible.
- Midwest/Great Lakes U.S.
Accumulating snows Kentucky, Ohio, then clearing. Fair elsewhere.
- Southeast U.S.
Wet snow Tennessee, western North Carolina; wintry mix northern Mississippi, Alabama. Elsewhere, rain, then clearing.
- North Central U.S.
Drier, much colder.
- South Central U.S.
Snow parts of Arkansas, then clearing, cold. Clear, much colder elsewhere.
- Northwest U.S.
Drier, but colder.
- Southwest U.S.
Drier, but noticeably colder.
• View entire Long Range Weather Forecast »
• Farmers' Almanac 2011-12 Winter Outlook »
• View the Almanac Daily Planner »
If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.