Weeding green spaces is most effective at certain times of the year, but is also carried out depending on the weather and time of day. In all cases, it is recommended to use environmentally friendly methods. If only a few shoots are present, simply use a garden tool to dig out the root together with the plant. For a larger area, a thermal weeder is recommended. It is very effective and avoids the use of chemicals that pollute the environment.
Weeding in Spring
A great season for weeding, Spring ! Spring weeding is a crucial step. This treatment has preventive virtues, as you will be removing weeds while they are still small. Indeed, weeds tend to quickly become invasive at that time of the year. Bindweed, quackgrass and nettles, the most common in our regions, spread over large areas and parasitize other plants.
Seedlings are not yet well rooted. With a few strokes of the hoe or with a thermal weeder, you will destroy a large number of them.
Once you get rid of all these pests, you can start planting your vegetables, flowers, fruits, berries. That will help them to put down roots, with no rivals.
Finally, during the spring, the soil is wetter than during the summer, which makes it possible to pull out roots, especially the deepest ones, easily. Thanks to rain and morning dew, the soil remains soft and easy to work.
Depending on the region in which you live, you can therefore start weeding in April or May.
Green spaces during Summer
If you have already carried out extensive weed control in the spring, the summer will be much more quiet. Plants grow less and you will just have to control the arrival of newcomers.
Weeding in the Autumn
Autumn is the other most favourable period for weeding green spaces. Moisture comes back in force and weeds start to grow again.
Mosses are also growing at that time of the year, since they appreciate compact, moist soils. Mosses do not have deep roots. A scarifier can be used to prevent their spread, by turning the soil surface upside down.
During Winter, the garden is usually left fallow. For public or professional areas (communal areas, offices, etc.), a basic maintenance can be carried out, to keep it clean, but weeding is not strictly speaking possible.
What is the best time of day for effective weeding?
It is best to weed green areas early in the morning and late in the evening. If you remove weeds by hand, the soil is looser because it is more humid. If you use a thermal weeder, try to avoid working in hot weather, especially if you are already using a tool that produces heat. You should just wait until the dew has dried.
On the other hand, the wind is usually lighter in the early morning, which makes it easier to focus the flame of your weeder on the plants you want to remove.
Weeding in wet weather
Although it is easier to weed by hand when it has just rained, you should never use a thermal electric weeder connected to the mains, as water and electricity do not work well together.
Even with a gas weeder, you must wait until the plant is dry for greater efficiency.