One of the best ways to keep a lid on weed problems in the garden is to keep a lid on it, a lid of organic mulching material.

"Weed control is important, because weeds will compete for the same moisture, sunlight and nutrients your vegetables and flowers need for peak production," said Bob Polomski, Clemson Extension consumer horticulturist.

Mulches of organic materials such as compost, shredded leaves and pine needles will not only suppress weeds, they will enrich and improve the soil and help conserve moisture. A three-to-four inch layer of mulch will reduce the time a gardener needs to
spend cultivating with hoe or plow or pulling weeds by hand.

"Some folks have even used several sheets of newspaper, laid one on top of the other, and others have used old pieces of carpet to suppress weeds," said Polomski.

Rocks, geotextile fabrics and even recycled rubber can be used for mulching material, but he doesn't recommend them in vegetable or flower gardens. They will suppress weeds, but they won't break down and add organic matter to the soil. Such mulches are best left for landscaping beds around shrubs and trees.

Polomski also advises against using black plastic.

"It is a lot of trouble for the gardener, and in some cases it can keep needed rainfall from reaching plant roots," he said. "It can also cause excessive heat buildup."

He recommends that gardeners use hoes, push plows and roto-tillers sparingly and carefully to cultivate garden rows.

"Hoe or plow shallow so you avoid the damage to roots that comes with deep cultivation," he said. "Damaged roots reduce the ability of vegetables and flowers to take up water and nutrients."

He advises against hoeing and plowing during periods of drought. Cultivation will just open up the soil and speed up drying.

Polomski said gardeners can achieve some weed control just by growing plants close enough together that the leaves nearly touch. This creates a canopy that shades out many weeds and allows the vegetables to become strong enough to get ahead of the weeds.

Clemson Extension does not recommend using chemical herbicides in home gardens. They are expensive, and no one herbicide is registered for use on all vegetables.

If a gardener decides to use herbicides anyway, Polomski strongly advises reading and following label directions carefully.

For more advice on fighting weeds in the garden, obtain the Extension publication "Home Vegetable Gardening" manual (EC 570). The booklet costs $2 and is available from your county's Clemson Extension office.