A garden bed with freshly tilled dark soil, surrounded by a lawn, with a small tree at the corner, in a backyard setting with a shed and trees in the background.

🌿 Weeding: Restoring the Balance

Let’s be honest—weeding is back-breaking work. It is tedious, time-consuming, and hard on the knees.

But for me, weeding is the best way to get to know a garden. It is when I am closest to the soil, spotting early signs of pests, checking moisture levels, and seeing what is thriving.

At Totnes Gardening, I don't treat weeding as a battle using harsh chemicals. I treat it as editing. We are simply making space for the plants you love to breathe, access sunlight, and find the nutrients they need.

🧤 My Weeding Approach: Careful & Chemical-Free

I am a "kneeling pad gardener," not a "spray-and-walk-away" gardener. My methods are strictly mechanical and organic.

  • Identification (Friend or Foe?): Not every volunteer plant is a villain. In Totnes, we value biodiversity. I identify what is growing—is it aggressive bindweed that needs to go, or is it a native wildflower that can stay in the border?

  • Manual Removal: For delicate beds and borders, I work by hand. I make sure to get the root, not just the top growth, to stop perennial weeds like dandelions and docks from bouncing back next week.

  • Hoeing: For larger open spaces, I use a Dutch Hoe. It’s a quiet, efficient way to slice through annual weeds while keeping the soil structure intact.

  • Mulching: The best weed control is prevention. Once the ground is clear, I can apply organic mulch (compost or bark). This suppresses new weed growth, retains moisture during dry spells, and feeds the worms.

🚫 Why I Don't Use Chemicals

In a town that values its ecosystem, spraying glyphosate (weedkiller) just doesn't sit right.

  • It harms the soil biology.

  • It risks the health of pets and hedgehogs.

  • I rely on hard work, sharp tools, and good timing instead.

🛡️ Peace of Mind: Professional & Responsible

Weeding generates a surprising amount of heavy green waste. You don't want bags of rotting weeds sitting in your driveway.

  • ✅ Environment Agency Registered Waste Carrier: I take the weeds away. They are disposed of legally at a green waste composting site, where the heat kills the seeds.

  • ✅ Fully Insured: I treat your borders with care, fully insured for peace of mind.

  • ✅ Registered Company: Totnes Gardening is the trading name of KEVIN IAN HARE LIMITED (Company No. 15593821).

Beyond Just "Pulling Weeds"

If you feel like you are losing the battle, I can help with the bigger picture:

  • Soil Improvement: Weeds often indicate soil issues (e.g., nettles love nitrogen; buttercups love wet clay). I can read your weeds to tell you what your soil needs.

  • Dense Planting: Nature hates bare soil. I can recommend plants that cover the ground quickly, leaving no room for weeds to establish.

Ready to reclaim your garden?

Whether you need a one-off "jungle clearance" to get back to square one, or regular visits to keep the borders pristine, I’m here to help.

📧 Email: kevin@totnesgardening.co.uk