Get Ready for the Weeds: Mulch, Fabric, and More!
Weeds—the word alone can make any flower farmer or backyard gardener groan. But in this episode of The Flower Files Podcast, Liza Goetz and Kenly dig into their best tips, lessons, and battle-tested weed control strategies without losing your sanity—or your short back muscles!
From stubborn thistle to invasive pokeberry and everything in between, this episode is your deep-dive into understanding weeds, fighting them smart, and using the right mulch for every job.
What Is a Weed, Anyway?
Liza and Kenly start by redefining weeds: not just "bad plants" but any plant growing where it’s not wanted. Some of them are even kind of pretty—until they steal nutrients, crowd your crops, and make you itch like mad.
“They’re still a plant… they’re just not where you want them.” – Kenly
Know Your Enemy: Weed Types & Tactics
Not all weeds are created equal. While chickweed and purslane are easy to pull and even satisfying to remove, perennial pests like bindweed and Canadian thistle are relentless.
The crew at Wildly Native Flower Farm has tried it all—pulling, spraying, and even targeted painting with herbicide. But sometimes, the only solution is the nuclear option: a tank sprayer.
Mulch: Your First Line of Defense
Mulch isn’t just about keeping things pretty. It suppresses light (no light = no weeds), retains moisture, and keeps soil temps stable.
Wildly Native Flower Farm uses three core types of mulch:
- Landscape fabric (long-lasting and reusable, especially with pre-burned holes for spacing)
- Biodegradable cornstarch fabric (not a favorite—it gets brittle, puddles, and isn’t foot-traffic friendly)
- Hardwood chips, straw, pine shavings, and rice hulls (tailored to sensitive plants like ranunculus and dahlias)
Targeted Weed Strategies
Weeds like thistle require different tools—literally. From Hoary Hoary knives (yes, those intimidating garden blades) to paintbrushes dipped in herbicide, the episode covers the importance of matching method to weed type.
Key weed control strategies include:
- Weed when it’s wet (but not soaking)
- Pull weeds when they’re small
- Use tools like stirrup hoes and mini shovels for precision
- Always have a bucket—especially for weeds that shoot their seeds!
Smart Mulching for Every Section
Different areas need different approaches:
- Production beds: Landscape fabric with burned holes
- Perennial sections: Agribon-like breathable black fabric or just mulch
- Peonies: Newspaper + mulch combo for breathable, weed-resistant coverage
- Dahlias and roses: Straw to avoid heat stress
- Hoop houses: Pine shavings for moisture control and plant sensitivity
And a huge reminder: Never plant mint in the ground unless you're okay with it taking over forever. Container only, friends!
Mindset & Maintenance
Weeding is about strategy, not just strength. Whether you're tarping to solarize soil or building permanent paths with stone and bricks, it’s about knowing your garden and staying consistent.
Also? You’re allowed to throw in the towel now and then.
“No one to stop. Say, ‘We’re not getting ahead of this,’ and tarp it. It’s okay.”
Homework for Flower Friends
Your bloom homework: Pick one weedy bed that’s been bugging you. Weed it, mulch it, tarp it—do something! Take a before and after pic and send it in. Got a mystery weed? Snap a photo and share it!
