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Preparing the Periennial Garden bed after winter

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Lily8486
Joined: 6/08/2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 117
Posted: Apr/12/2006 1:22 PM PST

Hi everyone!!

I have been raking and weeding and I was wondering...
How do you remember exactly what to weed when you know your periennials will be coming up soon. How do you prepare your beds for Spring?
Thanks a bunch!
Blessings, Lily
FlosGarden
Joined: 4/16/2004
Location: northern Ohio
Posts: 58
Posted: Apr/12/2006 10:58 PM PST

I usually let a little bit of growth come up in the beds so I don't accidentally trowel into the roots of plants still underground. And you get so you know where most plants will be sprouting. I leave the leaves on some perennial beds. I know the plants will pop up right through them. In other beds - like my bearded iris - I clean the leaves off and do a check on the rhizomes to make sure there isn't a problem starting. I think, to some extent, what you do with your perennial beds depends on what plants you have. But they all need weeded !
Mainegal
Joined: 3/30/2002
Location: Southern Maine Zone4/5
Posts: 2550
Posted: Apr/12/2006 11:06 PM PST

i pull up the weeds I know are weeds but have learned my lesson on pulling up things until the plants start growing as I've pulled up so many plants and thrown them away
Lily8486
Joined: 6/08/2002
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 117
Posted: Apr/13/2006 11:14 AM PST

Thank You so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was kinda feeling overwhelmed ,But you made me feel focused and encouraged!! I know some day I will have this all down pat...
You are all great!!!
:-)
Lily
FlosGarden
Joined: 4/16/2004
Location: northern Ohio
Posts: 58
Posted: Apr/13/2006 12:34 PM PST

Thanks Ron ! I know what I do works, but now I know why !
Briarwoods photos
Joined: 3/16/2006
Location: Let's Go Mets!!
Posts: 1207
Posted: Apr/13/2006 12:44 PM PST

I just pull what I know are weeds. You become familiar what your periennials new growth looks like so you know not to pull it. I rake it before anything really is coming up also.
columbie46
Joined: 6/25/2004
Location: Northwest Lower Michigan
Posts: 42
Posted: Apr/14/2006 12:18 AM PST

I`ve 'cleaned my perennial beds', but after reading this post, I have a question. Every year I add peatmoss to my beds. I usually work it gently in the top 2''-3'' of soil. Should I just put it on top? and how deep?
I use it because I have sandy soil, and it helps retain moisture in my soil.I do not normally add the peat until plants are all up.
Thanks for any info
hennagaijin
Joined: 4/13/2006
Location: Metuchen, NJ
Posts: 32
Posted: May/01/2006 2:21 PM PST

Quote:
Originally posted by Ron
I do not have 'weeds' since I mulch which prevents weed seeds from germinating


I know this is an old thread, but I've been thinking about this comment since I read it weeks ago (usually while spending hours digging weeds from my mulch beds!), and I have to admit it has me a bit baffled. Is your definition of "mulch" different from mine, or is your definition of "weeds" different from mine? Because I definitely use mulch in my flower beds, and I definitely get lots of unwanted, aggressive, invasive plants which I would consider weeds (wild onion, wild garlic, lily of the valley, unidentified vines, etc.)

The idea that the simple act of mulching could eliminate weeds is quite spectacular, so I wonder where your experience and mine disconnect???

Any illumination here would be much appreciated.
Briarwoods photos
Joined: 3/16/2006
Location: Let's Go Mets!!
Posts: 1207
Posted: May/01/2006 3:29 PM PST

henna,

It could be that the weed seeds started to germinate before you set down the mulch so they end up growing up right through it.
hennagaijin
Joined: 4/13/2006
Location: Metuchen, NJ
Posts: 32
Posted: May/01/2006 3:33 PM PST

Quote:
Originally posted by Briarwoods
henna,

It could be that the weed seeds started to germinate before you set down the mulch so they end up growing up right through it.


That's a promising idea... Does that mean that if I diligently remove weeds as they spring up, and regularly add mulch each spring and fall, that eventually I should be weed free in my mulch beds??? I didn't think that was possible!
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