How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

What is the proper way to get rid of many many weeds in a flower bed, which are too many to pull and even keep resurfacing after being pulled?

What do you do, pull, spray some weed killer, anyone can advise me?

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

I've had the same problem since we moved here, about 3 summers ago.

About 1 month ago I put down a layer of cardboard under a few sheets of newspaper and topped it off w/ a good 4 - 6 inches of compost and have practically no weeds. Whatever weeds that did come up are at the edges of this layer.

I am curious to see if this will be at least a semi permanent solution.

Make sure to give each layer a good soaking before the next goes on.

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

We usually spray weed-be-gone, which kills the weeds, then we put down a thick layer of mulch. Usually one have to do once a season.

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

Weed be gone and then use that black plastic sheeting and then lay mulch over that. I found that when we just laid mulch weeds would still come up. The plastic sheeting prevents them from getting any light and growing up through the mulch.

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

I'd read the label of any chemicals you're considering so you know what you're getting into.

We've tried the cardboard/newspaper/mulch route before but this spring we did corn gluten which is a pre-emergent herbicide. And organic, safe for children and pets. It's too late now, because it kills weed seeds before they sprout, but I figured I'd mention for next year.

We hand pull (making sure to get 100% of the roots, especially taproot weeds like dandelions) and sometimes spray the hole with a vinegar/water/dish soap mixture. We mulch heavily and I've just started putting in ground covers.

This is Sedum 'John Creech':





We have about another 40 to put in. They're already growing pretty fast, and with the cuttings I'm taking and rooting, that whole 500 foot area should be filled in by end of season.

Re: How to get rid of MANY weeds (too many to pull) in flower beds?

Also forgot to mention - you can till the soil and rake all the weeds/roots out too. But tilling upsets the living organisms in the soil so it's not ideal. If you do it, I'd plan to put compost down afterwards.