This Common Mistake Is Filling Your Garden With Weeds—Here's What to Do Instead

Weeds are more than just a nuisance in the garden—they compete with your plants for water, sunlight, and nutrients, stunting their growth over time. For centuries, farmers and gardeners have relied on tilling to remove weeds from their growing areas. However, as gardeners gained more experience, they realized that while tilling effectively eliminates surface weeds, it brings more weeds to the soil surface, making the problem worse.

Fortunately, there are simpler, natural, and less labor-intensive methods to tidy your garden while also enhancing its health. Below, gardening experts share various strategies for controlling weeds without extensive digging or labor.

What Is Tilling?

Tilling refers to the process of using tools or machines to turn over the top layer of soil, says Lauren Lovejoy, regenerative farmer and founder of Regenerative Farmers of America. The process uses garden tools such as shovels, hoes, and tillers to dig into the top layer of soil and turn it over. For large-scale agricultural operations, farmers use tilling machinery such as a plow, cultivator, rototiller, spader, riptill, disc harrow, and more.

Why Tilling Causes Weeds

Many believe breaking up the soil will help keep unwanted weeds at bay, but tilling often exacerbates weed issues. "Tilling brings buried weed seeds to the surface, where sunlight can help them sprout," says Lovejoy, adding that this increases weed growth. Additionally, tilling disrupts soil structure and depletes nutrients, creating more space for weeds to invade. In contrast, no-till gardening keeps weed seeds buried in the ground, reducing surfacing.

How to Manage Weeds Without Tilling

Tilling isn't the only way to manage weeds. There are other, more efficient, ways to keep your garden weed-free without the back-breaking effort of digging into the soil.

Smother Weeds With Mulch

Mulch, such as straw or wood chips, can effectively smother weeds, says Lovejoy. Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to your garden bed will block sunlight and hinder weed growth. Course-textured mulch, such as wood chips, is generally more effective for weed suppression, especially when applying a thick layer.

 Plant Cover Crops

Sowing cover crops like peas and oats in early spring is another natural way to suppress weeds without digging. Cover crops are grown specifically to cover the soil and usually aren't harvested. About a month before planting desirable crops, place clean cardboard over your cover crops and top with compost or straw, says Eric Nieusma, regenerative farmer and co-owner of Maine Hill Farm.

During the tail-end of fall, plant more cover crops and let them die in place for winter to prevent weeds and enrich the soil for spring planting. "Cover crops help maintain a weed-free environment and can be sown in any unplanted garden bed throughout the year," says Nieusma.

Add Cardboard to Your Garden

This no-till gardening method involves layering cardboard directly onto the soil to suppress weeds, block sunlight, and prevent weed seeds from germinating, according to Nieusma. This eco-friendly and simple approach to weed prevention enriches the soil as the cardboard decomposes.

For this method, use clean, recycled cardboard with no tape or gloss. Cover the entire garden bed, overlapping the edges to ensure weeds cannot grow through. Moisten the cardboard boxes to help them stick to the ground and aid in their decomposition. Apply a layer of mulch, compost, or straw over the cardboard.

Use Boiling Water

Boiling water is a simple and non-toxic method for killing weeds. To use this technique, fill a kettle or pot with water and heat it until it reaches a boil. Wear protective gear, such as gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Carefully pour the boiling water over the unwanted weeds, avoiding nearby plants. Focus on targeting the roots and the base of the weeds. Weeds with shallow root systems will be easier to kill than those with taproots. You may need to repeat this process after a few days or weeks for deep-rooted weeds. 

Use Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric, often called weed fabric, helps suppress weed growth by preventing sunlight from reaching the soil. This fabric is typically made from woven linen, polypropylene, or polyester, allowing water and nutrients to permeate. It can be laid on top of the soil before planting or after the plants have been established, with cuts made in the fabric around the plants.

Flame Weed

Flame weeding is a chemical-free method for eliminating weeds, says Nieusma. This technique uses heat from a propane torch to kill the weeds. The heat disrupts the cellular structure of the weeds, preventing photosynthesis. Flame the weeds until the weeds wilt or turn brown, which should only take a few seconds. "Sowing a cover crop immediately afterward is advisable, preferably before it is going to rain," he says.