In this video, you’ll see how I:
• Remove perennial weeds (the ones that come back from roots/rhizomes if you only cut the tops)
• Lay down overlapping cardboard as the first layer of sheet mulch to block light and slow regrowth
• Work with my husband (and the tractor!) to spread a 4-inch layer of wood chips over the cardboard for durable, walkable paths
This approach is grounded in evidence-based weed management: perennial weeds require a different strategy than annuals, and a properly built mulch layer can reduce future weeding while improving water infiltration and keeping mud down in high-traffic areas.
What’s coming next in the series
✅ Bed delivery + assembly
✅ Placement and leveling
✅ Soil fill strategy (what to use, what to skip, and why)
✅ Planting plans + spacing for strong yields
If you’re searching for:
sheet mulching garden paths, cardboard and wood chips for weeds, perennial weed removal, wood chip garden pathways, no-dig garden paths, or raised bed garden prep this episode will walk you through it step by step.
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The raised planter beds I’ll be using come from Planter Box Direct. They're my favorite!
Use code JUSTGROW10 to save 10% and get free shipping at PlanterBoxDirect.com (https://planterboxdirect.com/?ref=593).
Planter Box Direct is an affiliate partner. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:15 Recap of Episode 1
00:35 Which perennial weeds I’m fighting
01:06 Steps to removing perennial weeds
02:32 Removing the easiest weeds
02:58 Why it’s important to fully remove the roots and rhizomes of perennial weeds
03:59 Surveying the bed
04:37 Tackling a major project in pieces: “start at the beginning”
05:26 Steps for preparing an in-ground garden bed in the fall and winter
06:08 Finish digging the stubbornest perennial weeds (crabgrass, Johnsongrass, hemlock)
07:30 Describing the layering of sheet mulch, cardboard then wood chips
08:50 Laying the first layer of the sheet mulch, cardboard
10:18 Time to dump the wood chips!
11:23 End result
11:37 Why didn’t we put the raised beds in position before the mulch?
12:16 Next steps
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#RaisedBedGarden #SheetMulching #GardenPaths #WeedControl #PerennialWeeds #NoDigGarden #SoilHealth #backyardgarden