Weeds make life difficult for gardeners. When they ripen in your plot, they take up precious space, nutrients and water that should be going to the plants you’ve worked so hard to cultivate. While plenty of weed-killing solutions exist A common kitchen staple that experts say you can use to kill weeds DIY-styleLike vinegar and salt, to herbicides and tools with sharp spikes, there are many overlooked ways to keep pesky weeds out of your garden.
Denying weeds a place to grow is one way to keep them at bay. Intercropping, which involves planting two different crops in the same area, is a way to eliminate weeds. It is an essential part French intensive gardening methodAlso known as square foot gardening. But to reap the benefits of intercropping for weed suppression, you need to choose your crops wisely.
At least one plant should be a fast grower that is dense enough to cover the ground, keeping weeds at bay. You also want to choose plants that will play nicely together instead of competing for nutrients, water or space. low rising thoughts, Ground-covering thyme planted near tomatoes Or tall and elegant leeks with leafy celery. In general, the more diverse your plantings, the better for both weed suppression and pest avoidance.
How to use intercropping to control weeds
When choosing which plants to include in your plot, consider their growing needs and how they can complement each other by suppressing weeds. Celery and leeks are shown planted together Reduce weed cover by over 40%For instance. The two crops “work” together because they have similar needs but are also significantly different. Both plants require plenty of water, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and full sun. Like leeks, celery has a shallow root system. However, leeks also have a large stem that grows underground.
In some cases, the plants you choose may not have the same needs, but one plant can support the other. Lettuce is often one Ideal companion plant for cucumbersHowever, it generally requires more shade and cooler temperatures to thrive. When cucumbers climb a trellis, their broad leaves shade the lettuce, whose growth can then suppress weeds that may be trying to germinate.
For additional weed suppression, consider planting a cover crop, such as clover or peas, at the end of the growing season. Cover crops compete with weeds for space, crowding out seeds and taking away any nutrients needed by weed seedlings. Plant cover crops at the end of your growing season, several weeks before the first frost, to give the soil time to cover before the cold of winter hits.
