STEP 2

Step 2-  Since I'm still talking about weeds, thought I'd connect it to the 5-step program.  If you have clay soil and you're living in the Rochester NY area,  your gardens are very dry right now.  So first, and foremost......let's all wish for rain this weekend.  I know, I know, you're saying hey, it's the weekend, and we want nice weather.  OK fine, but you are going to have to water your gardens.  I have a couple of properties where I'm actually putting off weeding because of the dry soil. 
So let's say your soil is just right (not dry,not wet) then it's time to weed, and we want to cut the weeds at the soil level, or just below the soil with a sharp digging tool, the perennial spade is perfect, and don't try to get the whole root out.  This is not true for things that have stolen-type roots that travel horizontally underground.  These weeds must be dug out: things like clovers, horsetail, lily-of-the-valley, houttuynia.
4/21/12  -OK got my wish.  It's been raining all day.  Woo Hoo!!  So now we can weed in 24-48 hours when the soil isn't soggy wet.  Another tool that's really good for this job, is the diamond hoe.  It's long-handled, and very sharp.  You can cut the weeds while standing up and very little back strain.  Then pick up the weeds very carefully, shake very little, disturb the soil as little as possible, and put the weeds in a bucket or on a tarp that can be dumped. 

weeds galore!

I'm still weeding, getting ready to put down pre-emergent.  That's the stuff that prevents weed seeds (or any seeds really) from germinating.  The trick is that you cannot disturb the soil surface after applying it.  So get everything weeded first. 
The other thing I need to say is.........water........OMG it is so dry in my garden.  So I'm hoping that we get rain this week.  It's a tinderbox out there.
How are your perennials looking?  There are still things not up yet, so be careful stepping in those beds.