When most people picture a flower farm, they imagine rows of healthy blooms, neatly maintained beds, and picture-perfect growing spaces. The reality is a little different. Behind every productive flower field is a constant battle against one of farming's most persistent challenges: weeds.
In this episode of The Flower Files, we take a walk through the farm and share our real-world experience with weed management. From invasive vines and dandelions to landscape fabric successes and failures, we're pulling back the curtain on what actually works for us—and what we've learned the hard way.
Why We Pay Attention to Weeds
One thing we've learned over the years is that weeds can tell us a lot about what's happening beneath the soil surface.
Different weeds thrive under different conditions, making them valuable indicators of soil health, drainage, fertility, and even pH levels. While we'd always prefer more flowers and fewer weeds, paying attention to what's growing can provide important clues about how to improve our growing environment.
Some of the common weeds we encounter include:
- Dandelions
- Thistle
- Bindweed
- Ragweed
- Chicory
- Ground ivy
- Invasive clematis
- Spring onions
Rather than simply pulling them and moving on, we try to understand what they're telling us about the field.
Mulch and Landscape Fabric Are Not Foolproof
One of the biggest misconceptions about weed control is that landscape fabric completely eliminates weeds.
In reality, weed seeds can germinate almost anywhere. Even when fabric is covered with mulch, weeds can begin growing in the organic matter that accumulates on top. Over time, wind-blown seeds, decomposing mulch, and soil buildup create perfect conditions for new weeds to establish themselves.
We've seen weeds emerge:
- Through holes in landscape fabric
- In mulch placed over fabric
- Along seams and edges
- In areas where fabric has become damaged
Weed suppression helps reduce maintenance, but it doesn't eliminate it entirely.
Choosing the Right Fabric for Perennial Beds
Over the years, we've experimented with multiple types of landscape fabric.
For perennial crops, we've found that fabric selection matters more than we initially realized.
Traditional woven plastic fabric is durable and long-lasting, but it can restrict root expansion and airflow. Many perennial plants simply perform better when they have room to spread and develop naturally.
For our perennial herbs and specialty crops, we've had better success with breathable woven fabric that allows:
- Improved aeration
- Better water movement
- Easier root expansion
- Greater long-term plant health
This lesson came through experience. Some of our perennial plantings struggled in heavier woven plastic despite receiving identical care.
Sometimes the best education comes from our mistakes.
What Spring Onions Can Tell You About Your Soil
Certain weeds act as indicators of soil conditions.
One example is wild spring onions.
If spring onions begin appearing throughout garden beds or turf areas, it can indicate a soil pH imbalance. In our experience, adjusting soil pH with lime can help address the conditions that favor their growth.
Observing weed populations can be a useful addition to regular soil testing and fertility management.
Using Newspaper for Peony Weed Suppression
Peonies require a different approach than many other flower crops.
Because peonies dislike excessive heat around their root systems, we avoid landscape fabric in these beds. Instead, we've had excellent results using layers of newspaper beneath mulch.
Our process includes:
- Laying down two to three layers of newspaper.
- Covering the newspaper with mulch.
- Reapplying as needed.
This method helps suppress weeds while maintaining cooler soil temperatures around the plants.
The difference between newspaper-covered areas and untreated sections is often dramatic. Weed pressure is significantly reduced, and we can use less mulch overall.
Our Preferred Weed Control Method for Annual Crops
For annual flower production, durable woven landscape fabric remains our preferred weed suppression method.
We use six-foot-wide DeWitt fabric that has held up remarkably well through years of:
- Tractor traffic
- Foot traffic
- Weather extremes
- Crop rotations
- Infrastructure installation and removal
While no system is perfect, this approach dramatically reduces the labor required to keep annual beds productive and manageable.
Without fabric, weed pressure can quickly overwhelm annual production areas, especially during the peak growing season.
Managing Gaps and Patchy Growth
Even with the best weed suppression systems in place, crops don't always establish perfectly.
Sometimes plants are:
- Planted too deeply
- Damaged during transplanting
- Lost to environmental stress
- Missing for unknown reasons
Landscape fabric helps prevent these gaps from becoming weed-filled problem areas. Instead of an entire section being overtaken by weeds, the surrounding fabric limits competition and makes maintenance much easier.
What a Mature Weed-Suppressed Flower Field Looks Like
As annual flower crops mature, the plants themselves become part of the weed management strategy.
Dense canopies eventually shade the soil surface, reducing light penetration and limiting weed germination. Combined with landscape fabric, this creates clean, productive rows that are easier to harvest and maintain.
When a crop finishes, we evaluate whether the existing fabric can remain in place or if it needs to be removed before soil amendments and replanting.
Keeping Dahlias Cool While Suppressing Weeds
Dahlias present their own unique challenge.
While landscape fabric works well for many crops, dahlias often struggle with excess heat around their roots during the hottest part of summer.
We've experimented with:
- Traditional landscape fabric
- Cornstarch-based biodegradable fabric
- Newspaper
- Straw mulch
The method that consistently works best for us is straw mulch.
A thick layer of clean, high-quality straw helps:
- Cool the soil
- Reduce weed growth
- Retain moisture
- Protect root systems during summer heat
The key is sourcing straw that is free of weed seeds and grain heads. Otherwise, you may accidentally create an entirely new weed problem.
Weed Management Is About Progress, Not Perfection
One of the biggest lessons we've learned is that weed management is never completely finished.
Every season brings new challenges, new weeds, and new lessons. Success comes from combining multiple strategies, observing what's happening in the field, and adapting as conditions change.
For us, that means using the right suppression method for the right crop:
- Breathable fabric for many perennials
- Newspaper and mulch for peonies
- Durable woven fabric for annuals
- Straw mulch for dahlias
Most importantly, it means accepting that weeds are part of farming—and using them as another tool to better understand our soil and growing conditions.
Have a weed management strategy that works on your farm or in your garden? We'd love to hear about it. Share your experiences and questions with us, and they may inspire a future episode of The Flower Files!
PS: Want to see all of our weed management strategies? Check out the 8 Proven Methods We Use Here.
