Season-long weed control to prevent weeds from reseeding should be a basic part of any weed control program. Controlling weeds by preventing them from making a seed crop may be a long-term process, but in the end it is the only sure way to control this problem. Historically, gardeners have used hoeing, plowing, hand-pulling, and mulching to control weeds. Mechanical control methods used on a regular and continuing basis provide good weed control for serious gardeners. A few minutes spent destroying the flush of weeds that usually emerge after every rain is much more effective than hours or days spent trying to destroy established weeds.
Many gardeners have too large a garden to control weeds in the time available for that task.
A few well-managed rows may produce greater yields of higher quality vegetables than a larger area tended in a slipshod manner. Mechanical weed control gives immediate results. There are no problems of uniform application, drift, and residues as with chemicals. Weeds may be controlled mechanically under a wide range of soil moisture conditions, and very little skill is required. Also, mechanical methods may be used as often as needed.