Glyphosate-free gardening
Chemical-free weed control is entirely achievable — and in a region that borders some of England's most biodiverse chalk grassland, it matters. Here's what works instead.
Why going chemical-free matters in Kent and Sussex
Glyphosate is the world's most widely used herbicide. Research published in Environmental Science & Technology found it disrupts soil microbial communities — the very organisms that make your soil fertile. In a region where gardens border some of England's most biodiverse chalk grassland and ancient woodland, the case for going chemical-free is especially strong.
Kent and Sussex are home to internationally important habitats: the chalk grasslands of the South Downs and North Downs, the ancient woodland of the High Weald, and the wetlands of the Pevensey Levels and Romney Marsh. Pesticide and herbicide runoff from gardens contributes to the degradation of these habitats.
The good news is that chemical-free weed control is entirely achievable with the right approach — and a glyphosate-free garden quickly becomes a haven for beneficial insects, which in turn attracts the birds and bats that control pest populations naturally.
Five methods that work in south-east conditions
Mulching
Spring, when soil is moist
Apply 7–10cm of wood chip, compost, or straw. Suppresses annual weeds by blocking light. On chalk soils, also helps retain moisture.
Best for: Borders, vegetable beds, around trees and shrubs
Hoe little and often
Dry, sunny days when weeds are tiny
A sharp hoe severs seedling weeds at the surface. They desiccate quickly in south-east summer sun. Timing is everything — hoe before weeds establish.
Best for: Vegetable beds, annual borders, gravel gardens
Boiling water
Any time
Pour directly onto the crown of weeds in paving cracks. Repeat as needed. No chemicals, no residue.
Best for: Paving, courtyard gardens, walled kitchen gardens typical of older Wealden properties
Ground cover planting
Autumn or spring planting
Dense planting with hardy geraniums, epimediums, or ajuga outcompetes weeds naturally. Leave no bare soil.
Best for: Long-term weed suppression in borders — the approach championed at Great Dixter
Tips on this topic
5 glyphosate-free ways to control weeds in your Kent or Sussex garden
With growing evidence of glyphosate's impact on soil biology and pollinators — and with Kent and Sussex home to some of England's most important chalk grassland habitats — many local gardeners are going chemical-free. Here's what works instead.
Read tipHow to make your Kent or Sussex garden a wildlife corridor — and why it matters
The south-east has lost over 50% of its hedgerows since 1945. Your garden can be part of the solution — and a wildlife-friendly garden is also a more beautiful, lower-maintenance one.
Read tip