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Be proactive to minimize weeds in your gardens or home lawns.

Iowa State University horticulturists state cultivation, hand pulling, and mulches are the primary weed control methods in home gardens. Avoid deep tillage, as deep cultivation can cut off some of the roots of your vegetable, fruits, and flowers. It is recommended to hoe or till around plants or between rows, and pull weeds close to plants. Hand pulling must be done regularly throughout the growing season to effectively control weeds. It’s important to destroy weeds before they have the chance to produce seeds and mulches control weeds by preventing the germination of weed seeds. Mulches also help with soil moisture, reduce erosion, and may reduce disease problems. Grass clippings, straw, and shredded or composted leaves make for good mulches in vegetable gardens.