Organic Weed Control Standards in the Benson Community Garden
Healthy soil grows healthy food. We’re sharing updated guidance on what weed control materials are allowed and banned in our garden plots, and why organic practices matter for everyone who gardens here.
One of the core commitments of the Benson Community Garden is that we garden organically, not just for today’s harvest, but for the long-term health of the soil, the food we grow, and the people who garden here now and in the future. Weed control plays a much bigger role in that commitment than many people realize.
Mulches, weed barriers, and ground coverings directly affect soil biology, nutrient availability, water retention, and food safety. Because our garden is a shared space and the soil is something we steward together, we are setting clear standards on what is and is not allowed for weed control in individual plots.
Why Organic Weed Control Matters
Healthy soil is alive. It’s full of beneficial microbes, fungi, insects, and organisms that support strong plants and nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Synthetic materials and unknown mulch sources can disrupt that system, introduce contaminants, and create problems that last for years.
Our goal is simple:
to keep garden plots safe for growing food today, and safe for the next gardener who uses that plot in the future.
Mulches and Weed Control Materials That Are NOT Allowed
The following materials are not permitted in individual garden plots:
Dyed or colored wood mulch
Red, black, or brown decorative mulches are often made from recycled pallets or construction debris. These materials may contain chemical dyes, binders, or treated wood residues and are designed for landscaping, not food production.
Rubber mulch
Rubber mulch is made from recycled tires and can leach heavy metals and toxic compounds into the soil. It also traps heat, stresses soil life, and never breaks down to improve soil. It has no place in a food-growing environment.
Bark nuggets (pine or hardwood)
Bark nuggets break down very slowly, shed water instead of absorbing it, and can tie up nitrogen as they decompose. They are better suited for ornamental beds, not vegetable plots.
Fresh sawdust or wood shavings
Fresh wood materials can rob nitrogen from the soil and may come from treated or unknown wood sources. These should only be used after being fully composted.
[NEW] Synthetic weed barriers or plastic materials
Landscape fabric, plastic sheeting, or other synthetic coverings degrade over time, shed microplastics, interfere with soil life, and create long-term cleanup issues. We will use landscape fabric in common areas that are not growing food – just not in the individual garden plots.
Mulches and Weed Control Materials That ARE Allowed (and Encouraged)
These materials support organic gardening and soil health and are appropriate for use in garden plots:
Natural, undyed wood chips
Arborist or tree-trimming wood chips are one of the best options available. They retain moisture, suppress weeds, improve soil structure over time, and feed beneficial fungi and microbes.
Straw (not hay)
Clean, seed-free straw works well in vegetable beds and breaks down into organic matter. It’s important that this is straw, not hay, which contains weed seeds.
Shredded leaves
Leaves are free, abundant, and mimic how nature protects soil in forests. They work best when shredded or chopped and applied in loose layers.
Cardboard
Cardboard can be an effective, organic way to suppress weeds when used correctly. Only plain, brown cardboard is allowed—no glossy coatings, heavy inks, tape, or labels—since those materials can introduce chemicals that are not safe for soil or food production.
Finished compost
Compost adds nutrients, improves soil biology, and supports healthy plant growth. It works best as a top layer or lightly mixed into the soil, not piled thickly around plant stems.
Grass clippings (limited use)
Grass clippings may be used only if they are from untreated lawns and applied in thin layers. Thick mats should be avoided, as they can repel water and create odors.
What about the Wood Chips between the Plots?
We use natural, undyed wood chips from a local tree service in the pathways between plots to create a safe, stable walking surface and reduce mud and weeds in shared areas. These chips are free of dyes or treatments and stay in the walkways, not the growing beds, making them safe for garden plots while also improving drainage and overall garden access.
Growing Food, Growing Responsibility
These guidelines are not about restricting creativity. They are about protecting shared soil, ensuring food safety, supporting pollinators and beneficial insects, and honoring the collective responsibility we all share in this garden.
By gardening organically and choosing materials carefully, we are building a healthier garden today and preserving a productive, safe space for the gardeners who come after us.
Thank you for helping us grow food thoughtfully and sustainably.