Friday, August 6, 2010

Handling the Weeds

I should have counted the bags of weeds that I have hauled off. It is impressive every year. Here is what I have done and do now to keep the weed population under some control.

1) Find out what is supposed to grow on the site. Weed out what doesn't belong (this includes non-native grasses).

2) Before any section gets native wildflowers, spray the Canada Thistle and other invasive weeds with root systems you can't get to completely. It took 2 years of spring and fall application of weed killer to move this out of the meadow. Even now, small rosettes will pop up here or there - they are immediately taken care of with a spot spray.

3) Dig 'em when you see 'em. This goes for dandelions and any other nuisance growing among the natives. When they are in flower you can more easily identify a weed. Pull them out before they go to seed.

4) Bag the weeds if they have flowers or seed heads. If you leave them laying around, they will haunt you by dropping seed - a gift that keeps on giving.

The Weed's War on the West