Weeds have started to grow in the vegetable garden, and they have to be dealt with before they seed.  This will pay dividends in the vegetable garden next year.

A weed-free vegetable garden is a healthy garden.

• Air is able to circulate freely around the vegetables, which helps the battle against fungal diseases, such as blight and mildew.
• Insects will not be able to hide on weeds, and the gardener is more in control of the plot if the crops are not obscured by weeds.
• Water is used more efficiently if there are only crops, and no weeds to take up the water.

Handpulling weeds is sometimes easier than hoeing at this time of year.  It depends on how loose the soil is.

Although this is the time for harvesting vegetables in the garden, it is well worth putting time aside to get rid of the weeds.