Hand pulling and hand hoeing are the safest and most effective and practical methods of control. These methods are most useful in small areas or in areas of mixed plantings of desirable ornamental plants where herbicide use would be impractical. Mechanical control may also involve the use of tillers, edgers, or other equipment to remove existing weed problems. Tillers are useful in preparing a weed-free seedbed prior to planting as well as to remove small weeds emerging after planting. Shallow cultivation is useful in removing small weeds.
Edgers remove marginal weeds that encroach in ornamental plantings.
Mulching provides many benefits in ornamental plantings in addition to weed control. Mulching retains soil moisture, reduces erosion, reduces soil temperature, improves soil tilth, and suppresses weed seed germination and weed establishment. Mulching materials available include straw, leaves, pine bark, old newspapers, and landscape fabric. These materials when used properly alone or in combination will shade the soil, preventing many weed seeds from germinating. Herbicide Use Chemicals used to control weeds are called herbicides .