Nursery Notes: Those Wicked Weeds!

July, 2026

By Adam Miller

Manager of Pender Native Plants

pnp@penderconservancy.org

Every gardener has that one persistent adversary. For some, it's deer. For others, it's slugs. But for many of us, the true nemesis are weeds—those determined little plants that somehow appear overnight exactly where you don't want them.

Don’t fret when weed pressure is bearing down on you, there are many effective ways to keep these garden freeloaders under control. The first line of defense is prevention. Mulch is one of a gardener's greatest allies (and my favorite subject as discussed regularly in this column). A generous layer of wood chips, leaves, or any composted organic matter can help block sunlight from reaching weed seeds, making it difficult for them to germinate. As a bonus, mulch conserves moisture and improves soil health, making your desirable plants happier while making life more difficult for weeds. I’ll stop nagging you about mulching now.

Another excellent strategy is to keep your garden densely planted. Nature dislikes empty spaces, and if your plants aren't occupying them, weeds certainly will. Groundcovers, closely spaced perennials and healthy shrubs can create a living mulch that shades the soil and leaves little room for unwanted guests. This is why, after removing invasives, it’s vital to replant quickly to prevent their return.

When weeds do appear, prompt action is key. Young weeds are much easier to remove than mature ones that have developed perennial tap roots. I value my back and knees so do as much weeding as I can with a hoe. Diamond, stirrup, Dutch, Draw, whichever you prefer. Keep them sharp and they’ll lop off the top (crown) of the weed from to roots. Perennial weeds (such as Dandelion) may pop their head above the ramparts again, but weaker this time and another hoeing in a few weeks will likely do the job. Of course, many folks like to hand weed; I recommend a Hori-Hori for this. It’s a sharp trowel carried by every professional gardener.

My preferred method is to leave the roughed-up weeds on the garden bed to compost back into the soil. If you don’t have time to get out there and weed, then it’s vital to at least lop off seedheads before they have a chance to develop and disperse. A few seedheads can lead to much more work in the future. Weeding is much like going to the dentist regularly. A little bit of work done consistently will mean much less work and pain in the future.

Gardening Tasks for July

• Deadhead repeat bloomers, but keep some seedheads to feed birds and other critters.

• Remember to ‘prune after bloom’. For most species pruning immediately after blooms are finished will ensure they have time to grow and set flower buds for next year. For instance, Oceanspray and Mock Orange blooms should now be faded. Remove up to 30% of the oldest stems to the base to encourage new shoots.

• Dig-up, divide and replant dense clumps of bulbs.

• Collect seeds.

• Towards the end of July bird nesting season is coming to an end. So, now is the time to trim hedges and prune trees as needed.

Come chat with me about this and any horticulture topic at the Pender Native Plants nursery any Friday or Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm at 4506 Bedwell Harbour Rd. pnp@penderconservancy.org