Q: I want to use rich soil from my Dad’s old cow lot in my small garden. I’m worried about weeds in it. Can I sterilize the dirt somehow? Howard Betts, email

A: You can’t sterilize the dirt but there is another way to kill weeds before they become a problem. Add the soil to your garden plot, then cover with clear plastic for a week or two until weeds germinate. Spray with a non-selective herbicide like Nature’s Glory or Roundup. Repeat one more time before planting. Most potential weed seedlings will be eliminated by this preemptive strike.