What is a good technique for weeding in the garden (excluding chemical methods) and how much effort should be put into removing every scrap of organic material when weeding ?

virgil

a dutch hoe is good between rows of {plants/seedlings;} the 'garden claw' implements are very useful for {spot-weeding;} handweeding is often the best option in confined spaces - you can compost annual weeds but perennials (e.g. dandelions) are best disposed of by digging out with a knife or trowel and then chucking out with the rubbish. Apr 04 02, 9:10 PM

Son of The Household Cavalry

I find the best technique is pay somebody else to do it Apr 04 02, 9:58 PM

KIWI IN OZ

I tend to go along with Brainy Blonde, after all who weeded the forests before humans came along? Really there is no such thing as a weed, the term really refers to plants we don't want in our garden. My method is no digging at all all that stirring of soil with hoes and things just gets them going sooner and faster. Mulch mulch mulch. Layers of newspaper (blocks out light)well watered and topped with 3-4 cm of soil or potting mix and then pea straw (10cm)again give it all a good water. The newspaper eventually breakds down allowing roots to penetrate and the pea straw helps to retain water in hot months and keeps heat in in the cooler months. Mother natures methods are proven to work, think about it the next time you take a walk through a forest. Better be quick though the world is running short of the natural variety. Apr 05 02, 4:36 AM

Senior Moments

Mulching is one of the best ways to keep the moisture in and help prevent weeds establishing. I have found that the best mulch was made from those fibre pots that are sold and last a year before the bottoms get to soggy and drop off. I had a few that became useless so I put them through a shredder and spread them round the plants in a part of the garden. I discovered that I did not have to do any maintenance in that area for ages. Apr 05 02, 7:45 AM

fpgjc

mulching is by far the best method , find some-one who shreds conifers/trees and get a lorry load,the only effort expended is spreading it around,you do NOT want to eliminate organic materials unless you want a desert for a garden Apr 05 02, 10:19 AM