Although the temperatures in the greater Seattle area are hovering somewhere above freezing but below 50 degrees, weeds are still quietly establishing themselves in gardens throughout the area. If you can get out there and remove them now, Spring garden care will be much easier as your weed population will be significantly reduced.

• Grass weeds are spreading, weaving their way through shrubs and laying down roots in dormant perennial beds.
• Cool season annual weeds like tenacious shotweed is germinating, flowering and even releasing seed!
• Perennial weeds such as Stinky Bob (aka wild geranium) and feverfew (which I consider worth growing but controlling) are holding on tightly, photosynthesizing to feed their spreading roots underground.
• Fireweed is tight to the ground but feeding its powerful roots beneath the soil
• Taproot-pros like dandelion continue to feed themselves quietly, ready to power up as soon as the days begin to warm

So, what to do about all these (and other unwanted garden plants)?

If the soil is frozen or soggy, take care not to trample your garden beds. You can damage tender, unseen perennials lying dormant, precious plant roots and soil structure.  If you can access the plants try some of these methods to put your winter weeds to rest:

• Get out your hand tools and pull the plants from the roots. (If the soil is frozen, you might wait until it thaws so you don’t just break the top of the plant off, leaving the root intact where it may regenerate…often more powerfully than before.)
• Pour boiling water over the unwanted weeds. Hot water can often shock the life right out of them.
• Crack out the flame weeder and cook the little buggers, but take care not to overdo it, starting a fire or damaging your desirable plants

And when you’re done removing the weeds, be sure to add a thick layer of composted mulch over the area. This will help your remaining plants and soil thrive while starving any remaining seeds from light, which they need for germination.