Hand-weed, mulch and a few clever habits can keep borders clear without reaching for the sprayer.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
You don't need chemical weedkillers to keep a garden looking tidy. With the right habits, most weeds barely get a foothold — here's the straightforward, low-spray routine that works.
The golden rule is to deal with weeds while they're small and before they flower. One flowering annual can drop thousands of seeds that come back for years — so the single most effective habit is simply not letting weeds reach that stage.
A sharp hoe on a dry morning is brilliant for small, annual weeds. Slice just below the surface, then leave the weeds on the soil to wilt and die in the sun. Do it before they establish and it's remarkably little work.
A generous layer of bark, compost or gravel over bare soil suppresses most weeds before they can germinate, keeping the soil cool and moist at the same time. It's one of the best low-effort investments in a tidy border.
Perennial weeds with deep or running roots — like bindweed, ground elder and docks — are best dug out by hand with a fork, getting as much root as you can. Persistence pays: chip away and they weaken year on year.
From garden maintenance to a full maintenance-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
