...having just spent nearly four hours in the garden... entirely devoted to the destruction of this pernicious family of encroachers... I can attest that it depends entirely upon the type of weeder you are:
Method #1~ the stoop over with gloves and trowel to remove one plant at a time by the roots type weeder: you love to take your time and enjoy the whole garden experience, whether it be harvesting veges, flowers, or weeds! besides... thorough removal will avoid return visits to the same site.. although your aching back will remind you of the price you have paid for such diligence! but.. there will be no time left to smell the flowers if this is the only method you employ...for it will take the longest of all methods, up front~ at least. you must also remember that stooping down to their level has definite disadvantages: for who ever feels good about destroying something which can look you straight in the eye before your final blow? One must think long and hard before committing to this method, that is for sure!
Method #2)~ The spray and forget type weeder: you hate to take the time to physically attack those weeds... so a spray that kills them dead, while you remain somewhat aloof to the dastardly process, seems more... honorable? but be sure to wear your protective mask and respirator, long sleeves and gloves, tuck your full length jeans into your socks, a hat or hood...and....whew! we are tired already, just getting geared up! Although this appears to be the fastest method, be warned that it can backfire a bit if wind wafts the fine spray onto a cherished cucumber or (may it never be) tomato! and there is always the fear that the fruit of your vine and tree could be infected by the poison... for how can you truly enjoy the juicy warm sweetness of a fresh picked strawberry or plum, while a chance remains that the deadly spray has wandered this way? and might you not also have a nagging worry that the spray might have found a chink in... your armour? :O
Method #3)~ the hoe till they spring up no more type weeder: taking your hoe of choice, you tackle the job in a more... upright manner. not quite so personal and hands-on as the trowel and glove method where close proximity to the thistle requires guts and brawn... nor is it as distant and impersonal.. as in the spraying method (with its possible dangerous side effects). this responsible method will take you on a wonderful journey through each section of your garden... again, and again... and again... and again......for just when you think you have hoed every last green curmudgeon, another will spring into view.. and off you are on another adventure! :D
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though this is, by no means, an exhaustive list of methods, and though we may disagree on the actual method of choice used to rid our garden of weeds... we all would have to agree that they cannot stay as guests.. we must send them packing, dispatching them early and often... they say the job gets easier each time around... guess that's one of the keys to a successful garden. don't wait till the weeds get large enough to play hide and seek in them... today is the day... diligence is the way, for you know what they say about a weed in time...
"I went by the field of the lazy man,
and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
and there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
its surface was covered with nettles;
its stone wall was broken down.
When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction;
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest;
so shall your poverty come like a prowler,
and your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 24:30-34 The Living Bible
