Weeds as Mulch

• Weeds make an effective mulch for the vegetable garden. Pull them by hand after a rain or irrigation when the soil is slightly soft. Lay the weeds over the soil in a layer no more than 1 inch deep. The mulch helps conserve moisture and reduces weed seed germination. The weeds add valuable nutrients to the soil as they decompose, as well.
  
  

Exceptions

• Pull weeds before they produce flowers and seeds. If a plant goes to seed, do not use it as a mulch because the seeds will produce more weeds in the garden. To avoid injury while working in the garden, do not use weeds with thorns or spines as a mulch. Avoid using weeds that have been treated with a herbicide as mulch because the herbicide may harm desirable plants.
  
  

Considerations

• Some weeds, such as purslane and bindweed, have a spreading habit and roots that easily regrow. When used as a mulch in moist soils, these plants can potentially regrow. Allow them to dry out before mulching with them or compost them instead.
  
  

Aesthetics

• Dried weeds, grass and straw make fine mulches for the vegetable garden, but they are less attractive in a neat mixed bed of shrubs and perennials. Consider the aesthetics of the garden when choosing a mulching material. Weed mulches are also temporary and decompose quickly, making them a good choice for one season. Most perennial beds benefit from a more permanent mulch, such as wood chips or bark.