Hand weeding, as Christopher Lloyd, a 20th-century British gardener and author, reminded us, can be a kind of meditation. It requires focus, but not much thought, so it lets our minds roam as we perform this needed chore. Some people might say “let the weeds have their way,” but in a flower garden this is not wise. Weeds such as plantains, chickweed, and stiltgrass, compete for moisture and nutrients in the soil and may, therefore, inhibit flowers’ growth. Also, once established, weeds are hard to remove. It is smart to pull them out, roots and all, before they overrun the garden.
The best time to hand weed is after a good rain. The moist soil allows the roots to come out easily with a steady tug at the base of the plant. If you pull out weeds in dry soil, the stem will often snap off just below the surface, leaving the roots in place. This allows the weed to continue growing. If you cannot wait for a rainstorm, then water the soil deeply before you weed. This will make your job so much easier, and you will be free to think big thoughts—or plan your next trip—while you work.
Weeding is often a solitary activity. If you prefer company, then I say have a “weeding party.” Invite some gardening pals over and promise them a lovely lunch if they give you half an hour of weeding time. Companionship makes the work go so much faster.
So turn off the cell phone. Take some deep breaths. Look closely at your garden and, as you pull out the pesky weeds, enjoy the moment.
“Many gardeners will agree that hand-weeding is not the terrible drudgery that it is often made out to be. Some people find in it a kind of soothing monotony. It leaves their minds free to develop the plot for their next novel or to perfect the brilliant repartee with which they should have encountered a relative’s latest example of unreasonableness.”
—CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, THE WELL-TEMPERED GARDEN