Any time you stir up soil and water it, you'll get weeds – even if added soil was "clean." Weed seeds are typically throughout topsoil, and it's when they're brought close to the surface and watered that they germinate.
You certainly can use topsoil for potted plants, but that doesn't mean you should. If you do, your plant probably won't get the nutrients it needs, won't grow at the rate you expect and will be likely to die sooner. The best topsoil for vegetable gardens may not be topsoil at all.
Clear plastic tarps from your local hardware store (2-6 mil) are sufficient for solarization. In dry climates, the process typically takes around two to three weeks during hot summer months. The process is complete when the vegetation underneath the tarp is dead.
This method works particularly well for people who want their organic matter out of sight while it is decomposing. A trench is also a good place to get rid of those weeds you have pulled up. If buried deep enough in the garden, the weed seeds won't be exposed to sunlight, and won't re-grow.
Not only do weeds grow back quickly, but many do it through fragmentation. Scary. But fear not! Stubborn weed fragments are no match for the Beach Rake, a multipurpose land and water tool.
In conclusion, weeds can cause significant harm to your lawn and garden if left unchecked. They can compete with your plants for nutrients and water, attract pests, and become invasive. Regular weed control is essential to prevent weed growth and protect your lawn and garden from damage.
Hillock cautions gardeners against reusing potting soil if they had problems with diseases, weeds or insects last year. Viruses, fungi and bacteria will remain in the potting soil long after the life of the plant. “It's possible to destroy these pathogens, but it isn't worth the risk.
Plastic Tarp Choice
However, in cooler or coastal areas, black plastic is sometimes better than clear, because weeds won't grow beneath it, as they will under clear plastic when the air temperatures are too low to kill them.
Soil Depth is Crucial
Topsoil is typically thought of as the top 6 inches of soil. We recommend adding at least 2 to 3+ inches of topsoil and rototilling it 2 to 3+ inches into the existing dirt to get the recommended 6 inches depth.
Tips on Storing Topsoil and Compost
For long term storage, compacting the top layer of the pile will help against erosion, though the use of a tarp is still recommended. Of course, the best option is to avoid the need for storage in the first place.
Although it's possible for grass to grow through the topsoil, this can only be successful depending on the thickness of topsoil applied as a top dressing. Please note that before applying topsoil over existing grass, you will need to mow the turf first.
There are pros and cons to both spraying and pulling weeds, and we have a good rule of thumb you can use when choosing a method. Hand-pulling is easier when you are focusing on a small area. Spraying weeds is ideal when you're dealing with a vast area or a loftier infestation of weeds.
The major benefits attributed to the annual rite of tilling are that it aerates the soil; chops and kills weeds; and mixes in organic materials, fertilizers, and lime.
No matter what type of garden you're growing, cover bare soil with mulch or plants to limit weeds. In a shrub or perennial garden where plants are spaced to allow for growth, use bark mulch or a similar material. In my vegetable garden, I use shredded leaves, straw mulch, or interplant to create a living mulch.
To kill weeds, some amateur gardeners recommend combining Epsom salt and Dawn dish soap. Together, these household items create a potent mixture, so only use it in places you wish to eliminate weeds, such as a patio or sidewalk permanently.
Deprive Weeds of Water
Weeds can't survive without moisture. In areas with little or no summer rain, drip irrigation or soaker hoses help prevent weed seeds from sprouting by depriving them of water. These systems deliver water to the root zone of plants at the soil level.
Glyphosate, the ingredient in Roundup and other products, is translocated from the leaves to the roots of a weed. Vinegar is not translocated. It is true that 5% vinegar (acetic acid) will kill young, tender weeds but it does little damage to established weeds.
Many weeds are said to accumulate vital nutrients from the subsoil and bring the nutrients into their leaves. Although the science on this phenomenon is a little spotty, we know that as green plant matter dies back, it enriches the soil. The presence of certain weeds can indicate the need to enrich your soil.
Not only do weeds protect bare soil; over time, they improve the soil every which way. Their roots break up soil to improve aeration and extract nutrients.
Gardening is a passion for many that is often interrupted by unwanted plants living in the wrong place. More commonly known as weeds, these eyesores do more than intrude on the aesthetic. Weeds can cause stress on surrounding plants by robbing the soil of nutrients and moisture.
ALLOWING WEEDS TO FLOURISH
As noted above, allowing turf weeds to flourish has been suggested as a simple way to provide nectar sources for foraging pollinators in early spring. The weeds of interest are mostly cool season broadleaf weeds such as henbit, deadnettle, clover, chickweed and others.
The short answer is yes, but it's important that you pull the dead weeds up in a very specific way to ensure that they don't come back to haunt you the following year...
The eco-friendliest option is to add pulled weeds to a compost pile or bin, where the internal temperature will reach at least 145 degrees F to kill the weed seeds. The finished compost can then be cycled back to the garden to add nutrients to the soil.