How to get rid of weeds without spraying chemicals

Hello everybody.

I have this area that you see on the picture where I was planning to plant veg. I've stirred, cleaned and straightened the soil and got rid of all the weeds last November. I've constructed the veg bed but it was late to plant things. A bit late now this year but I'm trying to sort the garden and start planting. When I went to the garden it was like a jungle.

Trying to take those plants out but the roots are quite deep and the plants quite big. BTW does anyone know what are these plants?

Whats the best way of getting rid of them and does anyone know what are these plants?

Here are the pictures.

 

Looks like Hogweed, AKA Cow Parsnip, not to be confused with Cow Parsley or zGiant Hogweed. Heracleum Sphondylium – Cow Parsnip and its Hidden Benefits – NatuRemedies – Less known food supplements

I've only got rid of a few of them by digging out, but a google of "getting rid of hogweed" or "how to get rid of hogweed" should locate lots of info.

P.S. Read about how it can be a skin irritant.

 

I've heard vinegar works? I also use boiling water but it needs to filter down to the roots.

 

@N.N . Best way is to dig it all up. Easier and you don't have to wait for things to work.

 

Dig it over, seems to be something people dont do these days, they tend to think there is an easier option.
There aint

 

Glyphosate is the solution. Ok, not the thing to say now but take advantage whilst you can. It eradicates most every weed in a way digging cannot do.
Within 18 months glyphosate will be banned and then we will all realise how effective it was
In my own garden perennial weeds are few and far between now so chemical weedkillers are rarely used. However, bindweed, oxalis and others were once rampant here and glyphosate effectively eradicated them. Now the garden is organic and has been for a few years.
So, use glyphosate to do an initial clearing job then control future weeds with mulches

 

Even if you kill the weeds off with glyphosate, (something which I use quite a lot), you will still need to dig the ground over to a good depth before planting any veg, you cant expect ground that you cleared last November to be clear of weeds now.

It just dont happen that way, you need to be on top of things continually, especially during spring and summer.

 

No dig for me, Pete, in the veg patch Mulch every year produces excellent results both with weed control and with soil quality

 

I only began to use mulch since last year, when I started a new planting in my garden. Without digging, and with another season`s mulch layer I am finding the soil is very much improved and easier to manage. In just these two seasons I find no need to use glyphosate, as there are far fewer weeds, and pulling them by hand doesn`t take up so much time.
Spent mushroom compost is my new 'best friend'

 

I do use glyphosate when necessary however here is some info on the stuff. Mostly to get an initial clearance of weeds as these days I cant spend too long on my knees or I need a few days to recover. :-(

Glyphosate - the Debate | www.gardenorganic.org.uk

 

Regarding mulching, not actually tried the no dig idea myself, but I think I would struggle to find enough mulch material each year for it to work with me.

I certainly wouldn't want to buy the stuff, and my own compost would be far too small an amount.

 

I have neither the time or the energy to be ''on top of'' my flower borders during the camping season, and at £2.50 per bag of mushroom compost I find it to be rather a good economy.
Not only that, it saves money on watering to some extent - that precious commodity shoots through a meter when the weather is dry - as it has been lately.
Old wrinklies like me don`t much relish too much digging either - the other way works fine

 

Its no dig for me but not to save my back!
I find it more productive.....more attractive too
My veg patch was dug deeply to start with and lots of compost, manure etc incorporated.....well, it was treated like this for several years. A thick mulch of seaweed from the beach, mushroom compost, garden compost and leaf mould creates a rich topsoil

 

And...I suppose you think if you`ve got it - flaunt it ! Show off...I wasn`t always an old wrinklie you know :rasp:

 

Ha ha Tetters. Never do I think of you as an old wrinklie. Far from it