Does pulling weeds make the problem worse?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.If done improperly, weeds can create worse infestations by spreading seeds across your garden. I have had clients inadvertently spread crabgrass seeds after pulling the weeds when they were in flower. The correct technique is to lift the entire plant and its root system using a fishtail weeder, immediately after rain when the soil is damp, to avoid breakage of the root system which can take hold in dry soil.
Timing & Technique
- Pull weeds before seed heads form, ideally in early morning
- Angle tools 15 degrees to avoid snapping taproots
- Work from garden edges inward to contain spread
Tool Selection
- Fishtail weeders extract dandelion roots completely
- Hori-Hori knives cut through tough-rooted thistles
- Dutch hoes slice weeds at soil level in tight spaces
Dispose of weeds with care and intent. If weed seed heads are disposed of properly, make sure you don't throw them in the compost pile. Place seed heads in sealed bags for disposal, like your municipal waste pick-up. We once added a pile of uprooted plants to a client's compost pile and purslane seedlings were sprouting out. For invasive species like bindweed, to kill roots before disposal, burn the roots or soak in vinegar for 48 hours.
Check out cleared areas every week. Dandelions will return from as little as a 1-inch piece of root. Spot-treat with a 20% vinegar solution on any new growth. As I navigate clients' gardens, I map areas to monitor any weeds that may appear, noting where there are often issues near bird feeders because they leave droppings that are full of seeds.
Read the full article: How to Prevent Weeds: 12 Expert-Backed Strategies
