Two old truths about weeds which aren’t funny. At all.
- 1 Year’s Seed is 7 Years’ weeds
- Dock seed remains dormant in the soil for up to 100 years
Last week we looked at agent weed warfare. This week it’s combat ,otherwise known as weeding.
It can be done by hand, by hand fork and it’s what the hoe was invented for.
The Dutch hoe (to my mind, the most recognisable one) is designed to glide just under the surface of the soil and its sharp blade cut off the shoot of a weed seedling from its root. On a hot sunny day the severed weedling can be left on the surface to shrivel and die.
A Dutch hoe waltz around the garden once a week and soon only the invited will be your garden party guests.
For gatecrashers who have been around longer a Draw hoe might be needed. With a more solid weight behind the blade this is a chopper and in scruff of the neck fashion, the left behind carnage will need picking up and off disposing of. Otherwise these unwanted menaces will be at it all over again.
There’s also psychological warfare. Cunning and patience pay off with stale seed bedding. It’s as if there are no greater guests than the seeds in waiting.
Clear the soil of existing weeds; fork it over to bring the buried seeds to the surface, rake over and water. Luxuriating in this unprecedented hospitality the seeds will get germinating. And then, just like the snapping on of the lights when parents come home to tanked teens – they get yanked out and it’s all over.
Repeat this several times and because the leaves don’t last long enough to photosynthesize and send nutrients back to the roots, the weed will weaken sufficiently to mean it really is all over.
Hey – who’s laughing now ?
