Doodle friendly weed control

[Julie and Moose]

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of weeding all of my flowerbeds. I have not been gardening long, and so I still have a lot to learn! Is there anything I can do to prevent or control weeds in my flowerbeds without harming my doodle?! He likes to chew on plants and he eats mulch. I'm afraid to do much because I really dont want to hurt him, but I'm getting tired of pulling weeds daily. Any suggestions would be welcomed!

Thanks,

Julie and Moose

[F, Calla & Luca]

Mulch is one answer other than pulling that is entirely safe, except for cocoa mulch of course. The mulch conserves moisture, keeps the weeds down and enriches the soil. With the mulch the weeds are also easier to pull. Eventually f the plants grow close enough you have fewer weeds, too. Ground covers like pachysandra also are very helpful.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Ditto Parker, Calla And Luca. Mulch, plant closely together and use a ground cover. I also use a pre emerge weed preventer that I work into the soil before I plant, then plant, and mulch. I have had dogs all of my gardening life and never had a problem. I really rarely use it anymore except in one area, because most of the other areas are pretty much under control now. The downside of a pre-emerge is that you have to wait awhile (more than a year) before you can expect intentional seeding of that area to sprout very well.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here are 2 more possibilities:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg0613592720186.html
The Garden Web is a good resource.
http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/natural-organic-weed-control
This company looks like a good resource, too.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I am not sure how much work it would be for you, but you could line your garden beds with weed block material. This let's water and nutrients through to your plants, but prevents weeds from growing through the fabric. Then put mulch over the fabric. This makes harder for weed seed to establish.