Prevention

• 1). In early fall, purchase high-quality topsoil for your seedbed or lawn, or prepare the soil very carefully by removing all rocks and weeds.
  
  
• 2). Turn the soil in early fall. The ground should be fluffy, smooth and free of debris, giving your seeds the best environment for strong growth.
  
  
• 3). Cover with black plastic groundcover or a heavy layer of mulch such as leaves or straw.
  
  
• 4). Purchase seed varieties that are hardy against weeds. Many organic seed companies offer special heritage varieties with this specific trait.
  
  
• 5). Plant seeds heavily. Overseed grass areas to choke out weeds, and plant garden seeds close together.
  
  

Weeding

• 1). Begin weeding early in the spring, before you have even planted your seeds.
  
  
• 2). Weed right after it rains, so that tough weeds are easier to pull out. Make sure you get to them before they have a chance to go to seed. Weed flowers can be very small and difficult to see, so diligence is crucial.
  
  
• 3
  Using a garden hoeFarmer image by Benjamin Huseman from Fotolia.com
  
  Use the hoe to get the annual weeds. A hoe tends to cut the plant off at the ground, but annuals have small root systems and won't come back next year.
  
  
• 4). Use a hand trowel or dandelion digger to get the big perennial weeds that have a large central taproot. Perennials will grow back next year so it is important to get the whole root out.
  
  
• 5). Purchase a solution of 20 percent acetic acid to spray on weeds. Household vinegar isn't strong enough. You'll need to be careful not to spray the solution on your other plants.