In early spring, when weeds were already pushing through a border, a gardener put Monty Don's advice to the test by clearing just about one metre of soil by hand. The method was simple: loosen the earth with a small hand fork, pull each weed out separately and make sure the whole root came with it.
Don's case for the slower approach is blunt. “Do one metre properly,” he said. “That's far better than doing 10 metres half-heartedly.” He also argued that “a weed is simply a plant in the wrong place,” adding: “What matters is getting in there.”
That is the point of the exercise, and it matters now because temperatures are beginning to climb and gardens are filling up with dandelions, chickweed and bindweed. The advice is aimed at gardeners who would rather avoid harmful chemicals, and it offers a practical way to stay ahead of the season before weeds seed and spread.
The test worked. After the weeding, the bed stayed noticeably clearer, and the difference was obvious in the patch that had been treated carefully. Don said the process also teaches gardeners about their own ground: “And it's a very good way of getting to know your soil, getting to know your plants.” He called it “a very intimate process, weeding,” while stressing: “But it's very important to do it now so they don't seed and they don't take over.”
There is a catch. Weeds such as dandelions, nettles and dock can quickly grow back if even a tiny fragment of root is left underground, which is why the hand method depends on patience as much as effort. White vinegar was described as inconsistent and as not truly tackling the roots of larger, established weeds, leaving the hand fork and a careful pull as the more reliable option for a stubborn patch.
For gardeners tempted to do everything at once, the lesson is less dramatic and more durable. One metre done properly can beat 10 metres done badly, and in a season when growth is accelerating, that may be the difference between keeping a border under control and watching it disappear under a green rush.
