Hand-weeding and mulching are usually preferable to herbicide use in the home vegetable garden. In a small area, herbicides that can be safely used with some crops may severely damage more sensitive ones. They may also remain in the soil and damage future plantings. Herbicides may, however, provide effective weed control where substantial areas of single or related crops are grown. Even so, their use should be complemented with hand-weeding and/or mulching.
For any seed, including weed seed, to germinate and grow, three soil factors must be present in the proper ratio: soil moisture, warm temperature, and oxygen. These factors normally occur in an optimum combination near the soil surface where weed seeds are located. Because the weed seeds are near the soil surface, any hand-weeding or tilling after herbicides are used should be as shallow as possible.
Before using any chemicals on your garden, identify the weed(s) present, ensure that these weeds will be controlled by the herbicide selected, and follow label directions to protect yourself and any desirable crops. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for herbicide recommendations.
