Springtime is Weedtime in the Northwest!

Last year, I swore off Spring Gardening.

In fact, I'm a bit shocked that I'm doing it this year.  It must have slipped my mind

that I had decided, "never again."  Why?

Simple - the weeds.

If you've ever gone away for a week in April or May, you know what I mean.  It's insane!

Sure, we LOVE to see our "wanted" plants bursting forth...

IF you can see them through all those bountiful, lush, and robust WEEDS!

So, why did I plant seeds in early March?

First, honestly, I forgot my vow.  But, mainly...I got crafty during the Winter.

This Winter was fairly warm (aside from the big freeze in December), so I hired a friend

to come out and help me "prepare" all of my beds.  We did one each week.  I have TWO types of beds...those that will host annuals, and those that have permanent residents (raspberries, strawberries, etc.)  

Here's what I did for the "annual" beds.

1. Weeded the bed.
2. Amended with manure from our animals.
3. THEN, we covered it with black mesh.

Now, it's a non-weed-problem bed.  I can grow in it this year or leave it fallow until next year.  But, either way, there are no puffy, white flower heads tossing seeds into the air or crabgrass or shotweed, etc.

Here's what I did for the "permanent" beds.

1. Weeded the bed.
2. Moved the perennials (if they needed it).
3. Transplanted baby strawberries all over to create a "fruiting ground cover."
4. Transplanted much of the "volunteer chamomile" to further fill space in with something I WANT.
5. THEN, we covered all the open spaces with straw to reduce weed growth.

Well, it is working really well.  I feel very much "in control" and I have less weeds than EVER before!

YEAH!!!!