Reply To: Question: Weeds, Leaves, and Mulch beds

[E. Vinje]

Hello –

It sounds as if the soil used in your beds has a rather large seed bank reserve. Ideally, your landscaper would have used weed-free soil to fill your beds. Unfortunately, the added leaf mulch won’t do much to help beyond increasing your soil organic matter. The pine bark chips may act as a physical barrier to the weeds, however they won’t do much to stop germination. Thankfully there is a solution! Corn Gluten Meal is a pre-emergent herbicide that will prevent weeds from sprouting if applied next spring. As it is a pre-emergent, it must be applied before seeds germinate, or it will not be effective. Early spring is ideal! Follow the instructions for a garden bed for best results.

Please also see our excellent article on using leaves in the landscape here.

Happy Growing!