Weeds

• USE MULCH Reduce weed growth in your garden by covering the soil between plants and along rows with mulch, a covering that blocks daylight and inhibits growth under it.
• SAVE THOSE YOUNG PLANTS. It's critical to keep weeds away from newly emerging seedlings. Keep your crops weed-free for the first four weeks of their life.
• CLOSE RANKS. If your soil is rich and well tilled, plant your crops closer together than is commonly recommended to further cut down on weed growth.
• CUT THEM OFF AT THE PASS. Another method is to encourage weeds to growÑand remove them from the soil before you plant your garden.
• OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! Use a grass whip or string trimmer and cut off their heads before they flower.
• TRIM THE EDGES. Keep the edges of your property mowed to cut down on invasions of weeds into your fertile garden soil.

BUCKHORN PLANTAIN	Stem length: 4 to 12 inches. Treatment: Hand-weed and destroy.
BULL THISTLE	Stem length: 2 to 5 feet. Treatment: Pull or cultivate out before it seeds.
COMMON BURDOCK	Stem length: 2 to 6 feet. Treatment: Pull out before it seeds.
FIELD BINDWEED	Stem length: 1 to 4 feet. Treatment: Dig out before it flowers. Also called: Wild Morning Glory
LAMB'S-QUARTER	Stem length: 1 to 6 feet. Treatment: Cultivate out.
LARGE CRABGRASS	Stem length: 8 inches to 3 feet. Treatment: Pull or cultivate out before it seeds.

PEPPERWEED	Stem length: 6 to 8 inches. Treatment: Pull out before it seeds.
PURSLANE	Stem length: 2 to 12 inches. Treatment: Pull out and destroy.
QUACKGRASS	Stem length: 1 to 3 feet. Treatment: Dig out.
REDROOT PIGWEED	Stem length: 1 to 6 feet. Treatment: Pull out before it flowers.
STINGING NETTLE	Stem length: 3 to 6 feet. Treatment: Pull out with gloved hands.