Weeds are taking over the world. Can bark win the battle?

To do a really good job of eradicating the weeds you will need to dig up the perennials and any bulbs and put them somewhere ready to replant. Leave the lavender in the bed.

Cut the weeds back to soil level then cover the border with terram membrane, cutting slits so it fits around the lavender. You can then make more holes/slits so you can replant the perennials. Water them through the terram.

Then cover the whole area with a deep layer of bark chippings.

With a bit of luck that should get rid of the weeds.

I think the weeds would eventually grow through it. Digging them up is the only way. Sorry.
Maybe digging a little at a time might be a way forward. By the spring you could have cleared them.

I doubt weeds will grow through the terram and a good thick layer of chippings. Digging them up is harder and any little bit of root left behind will just make more weeds.

X post. I was referring to the bark. I agree terram is another possibility.

Wait for them to become fashionable? Today's weeds are tomorrow's sought after plants!!!

In the spring our gardener friend weeded one huge border as best possible and then we had it covered with a layer of bark to a depth of 3 - 4 inches. A few weeds started to come through but we have used a spot weeder with a collar round the spray to ensure it only hits the weeds aimed at. It has been amazingly effective although fairly expensive to do it properly to the required depth with good quality bark which we bought in bulk. This was the cheapest option. Most of the evidence of weeds will start to disappear now the colder weather has come and weedkiller will no longer be effective until the growing season starts in the spring but I would concentrate on removing as much as you can while you can see it. In the spring you need to get on top of it as fast as possible, get the bark spread on and then jump on the upstarts with well aimed weedkiller as soon as they show. Once you have the bark down we found it not effective to dig weeds out as it renders the bark ineffective if you mix it up with the soil. It becomes just a soil conditioner instead of a weed suppressant.

After DH was injured at the beginning of the year we have had to concentrate on the most labour saving methods we could find. Bark is not the most suitable for every border but the one we used it on is mainly shrubs and trees with bulbs and lily of the valley and we had perennials planted through it afterwards and a huge swathe of mixed antirrhinums - all of which has been very successful. We are very fortunate to have a very good friend who is a professional gardener and who charges us mates' rates or we would have disappeared behind the weeds by now!

Thank you for your advice everyone. Now I can move again after the previous gardening session it will be a gentle trip to the garden centre and even more gentle weeding sessions over the next week or so. Happy gardening every one x