Getting rid of unsightly weeds in your garden is usually thought to be a difficult and tedious venture.  Unpleasant thoughts of getting down on your hands and knees pulling weeds out one by one come to mind, but with the proper work upfront, it does not have to be this way.  If you put in the work and do it correctly, you can have a weedless garden with low maintenance.

The most important step when preparing a garden free of weeds is to prep the ground you will be working on.  With proper preparation and implementation before you plant, you’ll be more likely to win the battle against weeds.  Soil solarization is an organic, preventative method that will keep weeds from sprouting in the first place.  It captures the heat and energy from the sun, and causes biological, physical, and chemical changes in the soil.  These changes help to control or suppress weeds. To do this, you must cover the soil with a clear plastic tarp for for up to 6 weeks during a hot period of the year.  This ensures the soil will receive enough heat to kill the pesky weeds.  In Florida, this technique can even be used in the winter months – you may just have to leave the tarp on a bit longer.

Another way to reduce weeds is to use landscape fabric.  For this to be effective, you must first clear the area of debris then lay and secure the landscape fabric with garden staples.  Next, spread mulch over the fabric.  After you decide where you want to position your plants, cut an X into the fabric, and dig a hole large enough for your plant, and place the plant into the soil.  Top it off by adding some soil around the base.