What is a method of weed control?

Hand pulling or mechanical cultivation is an effective method of weed control because it physically removes weeds from the soil. This approach interrupts the growth cycle of the weeds by eliminating competition for nutrients, light, and water that would otherwise be available to crops or desired plants. Hand pulling is particularly useful in gardens and small plots where weeds can be easily extracted without disturbing the surrounding plants. Mechanical cultivation, on the other hand, uses tools or machines to disturb the soil and uproot weeds, making it a suitable option for larger areas.

The other options, while they may contribute to overall plant health or crop management, do not serve primarily as methods of weed control. Fertilizing the soil promotes the growth of plants but does not effectively remove or manage weeds. Utilizing synthetic herbicides is a common practice for weed control but may not be included in every holistic approach to managing weeds, such as organic farming methods. Planting cover crops can help suppress weeds by outcompeting them for resources, but it is not an immediate or direct method of controlling existing weeds like hand pulling or mechanical cultivation is.