Two expert methods to 'choke out' pesky weeds growing in your garden

Pictured is someone gardening
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley)


Gardening experts have shared a tip that could cut your gardening efforts in half by suppressing the growth of stubborn weeds. The traditional method of weeding by hand is often a short-term solution, as the pesky plants tend to come back with a vengeance.

However, specialists at J. Parker's recommend "a thick mass planting of ground cover plants can control weeds by keeping the direct sunlight off the soil." They elaborated on their website, stating that "[this] can cause weeds to germinate and can compete with the weeds for water and nutrients."

They advocate for planting dense evergreen varieties to effectively suppress weed growth, reports the Mirror. Weeds are notorious for hogging vital nutrients and moisture from other plants and can even access nutrients deeper in the soil than most plants. Yarrow is one plant known to outcompete weeds, with lifestyle expert Martha Stewart endorsing its weed-suppressing qualities when planted densely.

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Her website notes: "If planted in groups, yarrow will successfully choke out weeds in your yard. The native perennial has flower heads that form tiny clusters of flowers. It's showy blooms that come in a range of colours, including orange, yellow and red, depending on the variety."

Adrienne Roethiling, the garden director at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, has praised green-and-gold as an excellent option for weed control. She explained that it "will spread by above-ground shoots, but it's an ideal ground cover to suppress weeds," emphasising its ability to keep gardens tidy.

Not only do these plants make gardening easier, but they also bring a burst of colour to your garden. Jackson Nurseries describes how "thick, dense planting of low-growing varieties can control weeds by preventing sunlight from reaching the soil and in turn preventing weeds from germinating."

They added that "weed suppressing ground cover plants also compete with weeds for water and nutrients to further help keep them at bay."

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