Running • Coaching • Gardening • Stories
09/24/2026 • Giving up
After seven years of fighting weeds in my backyard garden, I have given up. It has become obvious to me that I am not able to keep up with all the weeds that relentlessly pop up every July and grow faster than I can ever cut them back. Looking at You Tube videos of others who garden south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I think weeds just come with the territory.
The main problem, it seems, is the weather. The heat and humidity that comes on in late June, early July makes it very difficult to get out and work in the garden, period. Despite being retired, I still have lots to do, so my time is limited to when I can get out to the garden.
Certainly I can do some picking, which I do consistently, but that only takes a few minutes. Weeding, and doing the same plot 3-4 times a season, takes hours and lots of energy.
When I have to cut the lawn 2-3 times a week, week after week, it is no wonder that the weeds will double and triple in a short period of time. Looking at the images below, you can see how quickly the weeds get out of hand.
My recourse is to try growing less vegetables and growing them in a controlled environment. Raised beds seem the obvious answer, since I already have a few of them and I can control the weeds very well. So, I am working on designing layouts where I can grow the veggies I want, yet keep the weeds at bay.
The main problem, it seems, is the weather. The heat and humidity that comes on in late June, early July makes it very difficult to get out and work in the garden, period. Despite being retired, I still have lots to do, so my time is limited to when I can get out to the garden.
Certainly I can do some picking, which I do consistently, but that only takes a few minutes. Weeding, and doing the same plot 3-4 times a season, takes hours and lots of energy.
When I have to cut the lawn 2-3 times a week, week after week, it is no wonder that the weeds will double and triple in a short period of time. Looking at the images below, you can see how quickly the weeds get out of hand.
My recourse is to try growing less vegetables and growing them in a controlled environment. Raised beds seem the obvious answer, since I already have a few of them and I can control the weeds very well. So, I am working on designing layouts where I can grow the veggies I want, yet keep the weeds at bay.
Backyard view of planned raised bed garden
View from porch showing established raised beds from previous years.
New raised beds recently purchased.
Layout of proposed raised bed garden.
Raised bed on backyard deck.