Community Garden Series: Week 1 – Weeding and Seeding

For our first class, we focused on weeding the community garden in preparation for planting seeds with quick-growing seasons, such as radishes, carrots, spinach, and Swiss chard. After multiple days in the garden, we were able to clear it of weeds, making its maintenance easier – weeding never ends! This also reduces resource competition between our desired crops and unwanted weeds.

Weeding can be a real pain, but taking breaks, weeding the day after it rains (as it loosens the area around the roots), and doing it frequently can make the job easier. By simply ripping as much of the weed out of the ground as you can, you waste its energy, eventually leading to its demise; the same principle applies to lawn mowers and weed wackers.

The photo on the right was taken 3 weeks after hand-weeding (as well as seaweed application two weeks ago), look at the size of that curly kale! The elimination of weeds reduced resource competition, making it easier for our plants to grow.

Another alternative is chemical weed control through the use of herbicides. There are two types: pre-emergent and post-emergent. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied before weed germination, while post-emergent ones are used after sprouting. When using herbicides, check labels for safety details or search for “herbicide name + Safety Data Sheets” for more information.

The last part of the class focused on seed germination. Seeds require light, oxygen, and water to germinate, varying by type. Some seeds may need scarification or stratification. Scarification breaks physical dormancy through mechanical, chemical, or thermal methods. Stratification mimics natural soil conditions over winter by placing seeds in a moist medium (like a paper towel) in a cold or warm environment for a set time. Many Alaskan native plants, such as fireweed, require cold-moist stratification.

Planting depth varies by seed type and species; seed packets provide depth recommendations. Generally, smaller seeds should be planted closer to the surface to allow easier access to sunlight. Plant seeds densely initially, then thin out (remove small sprouts) to the recommended spacing. For starting seeds indoors, which jumpstarts the growing season, harden off seedlings by gradually increasing exposure to sunlight, wind, and rain over 1-2 weeks, starting with a few hours daily in a shaded spot. Afterward, place them in their intended location for a few days.