The simplest way to control "weeds" in any garden is to lay newspaper over the plot and cover them with a mulch (shredded leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, whatever) to hold them in place and hide the paper. Covering those "weeds" with paper will deprive them of the light all plants need to grow and they will die and the soil bacteria wil convert them back into nutrients to feed the plants you want to grow there.

Thanks for the feedback kimmsr. So when should I begin that process? I just want to make sure I time it right so I still have plenty of time to grow the plants I want to grow.

As soon after the snow melts as the "weeds" start to grow, although that can work to keep soil temperatures cool. I have plunked the newspaper/mulch down around the middle of March some years and then planted in May with no problem. There have been some years when the snow did not melt until mid April, however, and the "weeds" were growing quite vigorously even then. But the newspaper/mulch stopped them and I still was able to plant in May.

Anna, I think you're going to need more than a newspaper covering to take care of this bed if it's the one you're talking about now - likely there is quite an extensive root system there that won't be discouraged in just a few weeks. Fall, cardboard and mulch might have been a better way to go....what is your weather doing right now?

Here is a link that might be useful:

The weather in Michigan right now is cold and snowy.

morz8, yes that is my photo. That's what the weeds were doing last year. I let them grow because at first I thought they were Morning Glories!
Yes, kimmsr is right, the weather right now is freezing and snowing. Last year I planted stuff in about half of that bed and just ripped out the weeds. They grew back after too long and I just kept up with pulling them. I will try newspaper/mulch when the snow starts to thaw all of the way out, but if it doesn't work, you recommend doing it in the fall?

I put the newspaper/mulch stuff down anytime there is no snow on the ground. I have stated new planting beds that way fro April to November. The only plant I have had trouble with is Quack Grass and even that in a bed mader this way is fairly easy to remove because the soil is so soft, after some time.

Anna, I'm not sure from the photo if perennial or annual type 'bindweed'....my first thought was perennial with a very extensive and difficult root system - Did it flower at all last year?

I wasn't suggesting waiting until Fall to smother, mulch, I had wished you had begun last Fall, given yourself a head start over winter.

morz8, no it did not flower at all. That would have made it tolerable for me. I don't know how extensive the root system is, I believe last year was the first time they showed up (although it may have been the year before), but they do seem pretty opportunistic.

I see what you are saying about mulching last fall. If it doesn't work for me this year to do if after the snow, I will try to keep that in mind.

Anna: The good news is you are not dealing with morning glory (bindweed). It looks more like wild buckwheat, which is an annual, or maybe garden morning glory. If it is buckwheat, it should have had small pink flowers last year followed by triangular shaped seeds.

Laying newspaper and cardboard are probably your best options right now, other than pulling and hoeing next year. When you do plant your garden, put new newspaper or cardboard down to cover all unplanted ground between plants to reduce your weeding.

Thank you for the tips, beeone! I am so green to gardening that it is not even funny. Any help (including idiot talk as I am not necessarily up on my gardening jargon) is useful and appreciated. I'm mostly confined to houseplants right now (Philodendrons, aloe, sanseveria, Croton, and spider plants!) and this summer I'd like to actually grow something that is productive (by that I mean fruits and veggies). Last year I grew Nasturtiums and strawberries, but would like to add more if I can get this weed under control. It was my intention to hoe up the whole area and add some more fertile soil (it is a sandy area) this year to give myself the best head start. Thanks for the tips anyone, and if you have any other advice for a beginner, let me know!

Anna

The soil I garden in is sand, Lake Michigan beach sand, and adding any kind of soil, unless in extremely large amounts, is a waste of money since what ever soil you add will go in and attempt to fill in the pore spaces between the sand particles. Lots of organic matter, compost, shredded leaves, etc., is all that sand needs to fill in those pore spaces so both nutrients and moisture can be retained in that soil.
I have seen people around here spend large sums of money on "topsoil" or "garden soil" to add to their sand only to see that washed in with little benefit long term. "Topsoil" is nothing more than the top 4 to 6 inches of soil from someplace and may be nothing more that what you already have with a bit more organic matter in it.

Thanks for the tip kimmsr! I will try adding some organic matter this year. I know last year was the first year we planted it and so there were a lot of hollow areas from bugs and moles making their way through, so I thought this year I would tear it up and add some soil, but your idea sounds better! Now that I think about it, the Nasturtiums did great in the sandier soil, and they're so pretty so why mess with such a good thing by adding all that soil? Silly Anna!

Be aware, Anna, that the organic matter you add to your soil will cause an increase in your earthworm population which can also cause an increase in the mole activity as well as many insects. Since there are some 8,000,000 insect species in the world and about 8,000 of them are pests that may, or may not, be a bad thing since many of the larger population are predators of the pests.
Also keep in mind that not all plants like to grow in a really good healthy soil. Many evolved in poor soils and need that type of soil to grow properly, ie. those Nasturtiums

Thanks for the tip kimmsr. That is a good point! I will keep in mind the bug/mole thing. Also, you are right about the soil, but as I said, I am very new to gardening, so any help (not matter how obvious it seems to you) is useful! :)

I think I'll start researching what sort of plants will do well in the sandier soil and see just what my garden's going to look like this year. I know the Nasturtiums did quite well, and also some pear tomatoes, as well although they got a late start and never got the chance to fruit. Stalks were nice and healthy before they froze, though. :)