Weed control on a wet day in the garden

Finally got some rain yesterday.   Probably about an inch.  It was much needed for the spring vegetables.  In Columbus we have not gotten the water that the rest of the state has.  I need to get my tomatoes, peppers and eggplant in the ground but it was too wet to do so today so I did the only chore that is best for a day like this.  Pull weeds.  My least favorite chore.  However, when the ground is saturated there is one type of weed that every gardener needs to specifically target – The taprooted ones like thistle.  You may never get a chance like this again for the season so make use of it.

I have been pretty busy with work, this is what greeted me today.  Sheesh.

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No way this plant (comfrey?) is coming out in July.

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Do not waste those weeds.  The taproots from these plants have grabbed minerals from deep in the subsoil.  If you throw them away you are losing fertility and organic matter.  Best not to put them in the compost pile, they may root into your pile and then you have a real problem on your hands.

 

So I compost/mulch them in place.  In spots in my garden that I am not using where they will weed suppress and breakdown to be added later as biomass.

L: The green bean experiment from a month and a half ago.  They did get some frost damage.  I will not pull them, they should recover.  I am planting more beans this week

R: Big pile at the end of my Sugar Snaps.  There is not a weed on this planet that will grow through that mass.

 

A final pass with my weedeater and this bed will be ready to plant in a day or two.  If I do not get anything into it this week and we get the 80 degrees all week that is forecast it will harden to a big rectangular brick.  Love that Ohio clay.

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My back is toast, but it was worth it.  Getting the chance to remove the perennial taprooted ultra-weeds out only happens a few times all season. make sure you take advantage of it.

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