I'm beating weeds to it by adding this flowering ground cover plant to my borders now – experts say it's so effective at stopping them in their tracks

Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue ice', spilling over a curb in the springtime - Image ID: 2F97K69.

This year, I've decided that I'm not waiting for the weeds in my garden borders to rear their little heads for the summer-long battle to take up residence. So instead of leaving any bare soil for weeds to pop up and claim, I'm going to add creeping phlox – a low-growing, spreading plant that blooms beautifully while doing the hard work for me.

I've just bought the Creeping Phlox collection, from £9.99 at Thompson & Morgan, which will carpet my borders with a mix of striking colours in spring for years to come. And the most exciting part is that it's one of the best ground cover plants to prevent weeds.