Why is weed control important?

Controlling weeds is one of the most important things you can do to ensure you have a successful harvest. Weeds compete with crops for water and nutrition, as well as attracting pests as they mature, flower and age. This is because stressed plants attract pests, including weeds. Weeds grow fastest in Spring, and tend to flower and die leading up to the Summer solstice in December. This means Spring is the most important time to control weeds, to stop them spreading seed in your veggie patch to germinate the following year. 

How to control weeds

One of the easiest ways to control weeds is to prevent them from germinating in the first place. This can be done in two ways. The first is by applying a thick layer of mulch which prevents light from getting to the soil. The second is to grow a properly-spaced vigorous crop with a strong canopy that covers the soil completely. This also prevents light getting to weed seeds so they won't germinate. However, this is easier with a broad-leaved crop like potatoes than a narrow-leaved crop like onions, so mulch is still important. 

If weeds have appeared, removing them by hand whilst young and then adding mulch is vital. However, sometimes weeds just overtake a crop and there is nothing to do but pull out the crop, removing the weeds too, and start again. 

Still to come

Next time I will talk about the Spring hungry gap. 

This week's recipe links

Celery Salad from The Mediterranean Dish. 

No-Knead Scandinavian Seeded Carrot Rolls from The Cafe Sucre Farine. 

Mustardy-Salmon with Beetroot & Lentils from BBC Good Food. 

Swiss Chard Patties from Veena Azmanov. 

More info

To read more about what's happening on our local organic farm this week as we grow and care for veggies for our box delivery, check out this week's newsletter here.