The eco conscious may have started referring to weeds as Plants out of Place. But the steady stream of gardening tasks on my GoodGym feed suggests that many people still aren’t keen on rogue growth. There’s not too much to report from my sunny afternoon in Queen’s Road Peckham. So, here’s a handful of basic tips, if you’re tempted to get stuck in the weeds.

Use the right gloves

Reinforced gloves can give you a better grip on weeds or tools and help protect your hands if you come across something sharp in the undergrowth. You can even get superhero-esque gardening gloves with built-in plastic claws to help dig into soil and loosen roots, online or at B&Q stores.

Pull weeds out by the roots An obvious one, but cutting the tops off weeds won’t stop regrowth. Grip weeds close to the base and pull gently but firmly. Use a trowel or weeding fork to help tease out tougher roots. It may take you multiple attempts to remove stubborn weeds like bindweed or dandelions. The BBC website has tips for weeding beds, paths and pots.

Mulch with natural materials like bark chips or use cardboard

Mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of soil that can block sunlight, smother weeds and stopping them from growing. It also helps keep vital moisture in the soil. For small or non-persistent weeds, lay cardboard over them and weigh it down with bags of compost or something else that’s heavy. The Gardeners World website has more on mulching. Ideally the homeowner would have some mulch ready on the day, or the weeding tasks are more likely to keep coming.

Dense planting can keep weeds away

If you’re panting after weeding, leaving less space between plants will give weeds fewer places to grow. Using ground cover plants like creeping thyme can suppress weeds naturally. Try a local garden centre.

Compost or dispose of weeds carefully

Some weeds regrow from seeds or roots if you leave them lying around. Only compost weeds that are seed-free and without invasive roots. The RHS website has a comprehensive list of common UK weeds.