Weeds

In this section, learn about weed identification, the importance of weeding and how to weed to be a successful gardener.

Weeds compete with your vegetables for valuable nutrients in the soil, and probably discourage more gardeners than any of the challenges gardeners’ experience. Keeping weeds from getting started is easier than getting rid of them. The key to winning the battle is to know what weeding choices are available, find a method that works for you and START EARLY IN THE SEASON.

Common weeds found at BCG include:

UW-Madison Weed ID Tool is a picture database to help you identify weeds common to Wisconsin. You can search by plant characteristics or use the Weed Selector Tool to search by name.

Controlling Your Weeds

Popular methods of controlling weeds are cultivating with a hoe, hand pulling the weeds and preventing weed growth by laying down a thick mulch layer. Find a brief description of these methods here. Whichever method or combination you use, don’t let your weeds go to seed. Each weed plant can produce hundreds, even thousands of seeds; and the warm days and gentle rains of spring will bring on continuing flushes of new weeds.

Don’t be discouraged; even if you're dutiful about hoeing, hand pulling or mulching, more seeds arrive by air, by water runoff, and in bird droppings. You might accidentally introduce weeds on your shoes or clothing, on equipment or in the soil surrounding a plant purchased from a garden center. You need to be vigilant in removing any weeds that germinate in your garden throughout the growing season as early as possible or a small problem will become a much bigger problem for your garden and your neighbors – and may take the fun out of gardening for you and your family.

As you gain control over the weeds, your other plants will gain the benefit of the light and the nutrients that the weeds were taking. Your plants will gain a new vigor, and their healthy new growth will help to choke out future weeds before they get a chance to grow.