How to Stop Weeds Using Flowers
Weeds can be a real pain in the neck for any gardener. They compete with your plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight, and they can make your garden look messy and unkempt. But there is a natural and effective way to control weeds: dense planting.
What is Dense Planting?
Dense planting is simply planting your plants close together, so that there is little to no bare soil showing. This creates a thick canopy of leaves that blocks out sunlight from reaching the soil, which prevents weed seeds from germinating. Dense planting also creates a root system that makes it difficult for weeds to establish themselves.
Benefits of Dense Planting
In addition to controlling weeds, dense planting offers a number of other benefits, including:
- Improved soil moisture retention
- Reduced erosion
- Increased biodiversity
- Improved aesthetics
How to Use Dense Planting for Weed Control
When planting densely, it is important to choose the right plants for the job. Some plants, such as groundcovers and creeping shrubs, are naturally dense and can be used to fill in empty spaces between other plants. Other plants, such as annuals and perennials, can be planted more closely together than usual to create a dense canopy.
Here are some tips for dense planting for weed control:
- Choose a variety of plants with different heights, textures, and colors to create a visually appealing garden.
- Plant in groups of three or more to create a dense mass that will deter weeds.
- Water your plants regularly to keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from germinating.
- Mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Best Flowering Plants for Weed Control
There are a number of flowering plants that can be used for weed control. Some of the best choices include:
- Full sun: Stonecrop, hens and chicks, catmint, yarrow, calamintha, artemisia, mint, coreopsis, thyme, plumbago
- Shade to part shade: Anemone, cranesbill, hellebores, gallium, pulmonaria, epimedium, ajuga, vinca, pachysandra, lamium, lily of the valley
Using Allelopathic Plants to Deter Weeds
Some plants have allelopathic properties, which means they release chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of other plants. These plants can be used to deter weeds without the use of herbicides.
One of the best allelopathic plants for weed control is Tagetes minuta, also known as Mexican marigold. This plant releases a chemical called alpha-terthienyl, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of a number of weeds, including couch grass, bindweed, and creeping Charlie.
Annuals for Weed Control
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one year. They can be used to fill in empty spaces in your garden and deter weeds. Some of the best annuals for weed control include:
- Impatiens
- Petunias
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Sunflowers
Creeping Shrubs for Weed Suppression
Creeping shrubs are low-growing shrubs that spread by sending out runners. They can be used to cover large areas of ground and suppress weeds. Some of the best creeping shrubs for weed suppression include:
- Spreading junipers
- Mugo pines
- Asian jasmine
- Gro-low fragrant sumac
- Euonymus
- Cotoneaster
By using dense planting, you can create a beautiful and weed-free garden without the use of herbicides. So next time you’re planting your garden, plant densely and enjoy the benefits!