Unfortunately, there are several problems involved when using these materials in the home garden. There is no single herbicide that can be used to control weeds in all vegetables and flowers. Different herbicides would have to be applied to the various crop areas. Application methods and times may vary for the different crops. Herbicides often control some types of weeds, but may have little or no effect on others.
Many herbicides are also difficult to obtain.
Most are agricultural herbicides which are not available in small amounts at the local garden center. Because of these limitations, most gardeners should rely on cultural methods and mulching for weed control. Herbicides may be used to supplement these methods in certain situations. Cultural methods include hoeing, hand weeding, and cultivating. Cultivating and hoeing should be shallow.