Weeds.....It looked so good

[Snadger]

Like TS I believe certain types of weed are just another form of green manure.
This is going to sound 'smug' but the way I garden means I spend very little time weeding, only the persistant perennials which are all hand weeded.
I've had a swoe for 20 years and it is a good tool but I actually enjoy getting down and dirty and hand weeding my plot!

Close planting of crops in pockets means that when I harvest a crop the weeds come out with it...........then I cultivate the soil and replant another crop straight away which keeps the weeds down!
As Zazen says, weeds are part and parcel of gardening so just tackle them little and often.
This is the beauty of the bed system......you can hand weed a bed in half an hour and it looks like you've achieved something. Do the same the following day ad infinitum and in a fortnight you will be ready to start again!

[basketcase]

Sounds like another good reason for trying the Ornamental Kitchen Garden route, snadge!

Do you use it throughout your plot or just in a few beds?

[Comfreyfan]

How about putting in some green manure for the autumn - it holds back the weeds (or at the very least you won't be able to see them) and next spring you can dig it in and improve the soil at the same time.

[weekendwellies]

The Swoe looks fab. Must add it to my Crimbo list.
My most used tools are my hoe and my fork. Cant be doing with spades.
As previous answers, cardboard/mulch, and hoing the tops off them before they get to big which weakens the weed eventually if you keep on doing it. Doesnt work too well with the dandelions and horse tails though, they are more determined.

[RedThorn]

Doesnt work too well with the dandelions and horse tails though, they are more determined.

or beeping bind weed!

As the others have said, look at it on the bright side, if your soil was totally naff, the weeds would not grow, so just remember little and often. Like the quote above about don't let a weed see Sunday, think that sums it up brilliantly!