How to get rid of hitchhiker weeds

The best way to remove hitchhiker weeds is total removal of the whole plant: roots and all.

Here are the best ways to get rid of hitchhiker weeds, with options to fit everyone's energy levels.

Weed by hand.

Various weeding tools can make manual removal a ton easier.  Not all tools are equal.

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Some of my favorite weeding tools:

- Cape Cod Weeder - Diamond Hoe - Long-handled Weeding Fork - Crevice Weeder - Long-handled Thinning Hoe - Scuffle Hoe

Let the sun do the work.

Lay down a large plastic sheet to let the sun do all the hard work for you.  Then all you have to do is pick up what's left in a couple of weeks.

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Plant a cover crop

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Weeds can't grow if there's something there already. Plant something beautiful that takes up the space. We've got red creeping thyme in some places and love it.

Animal help

Let your animals help control the weeds. Or borrow some to help!

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Fire is dangerous

Fire can be used as a tool in some places to control weeds, if it's not dangerous or a risk of burning the whole state down. Be smart with fire. Don't let your pyro sister take over. 

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Chemicals work.

Sometimes, herbicides and chemicals are the way to go. Just be careful with using them.

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Be smart about wearing clothes that won't pick up hitchhiker seeds and make the problem worse.

Let your kids, family, and chickens help. Our chickens love to eat seeds, so they help keep hitchhikers under control, too.

Read more about gardening

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