How to look like you are beating the weeds in June

June is always a challenge in the flower garden, mostly because the weeds seem to think it’s their time to shine. Over the years, we’ve learned a few tricks to keep them mostly in check without losing our minds.

Our go-to is landscape fabric. We lay it down in early spring and burn holes for planting to prevent the edges from unraveling. This fabric blocks sunlight to most weeds, which keeps them from taking over. A few stubborn ones still poke through, but it’s nothing we can’t manage with some good ole fashion hand weeding.

Speaking of hand tools, I just had to have this hoe that looks like it was straight out of the 1920s. It’s heavy, solid, and has a small kids bike tire on it . Farmer Dan tried to convince me to get a small powered tiller instead, but I stuck with no-till for the sake of the soil. Hindsight? I probably should’ve listened to him…dang it!

With two horses on the farm, we also use leftover hay as mulch, especially around our tomatoes. It helps suppress weeds and keeps moisture in the ground—a win-win for the plants and the soil.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? It’s best to weed early, before you even see the weeds. Once they’re visible, it means they’ve already gotten a head start.

So, it’s June, the weeds are wild, the porch is calling, and that gin and tonic won’t sip itself. But first—go show those weeds who's boss!