Even in times of turmoil there is one thing you can always count to show up in your life… weeds. There are ways to minimize the havoc they can wreck on your back and your landscape.
Know thy Enemy
First let’s define the problem. What is a weed? The gardener’s definition of a weed varies by region and personal preference. Anything can be a weed. It is simply a matter of what you do and don’t want in your yard.
Why do we not want weeds? Besides being unsightly, weeds compete with your landscape plants for resources such as water and nutrients. Left unchecked they may crowd out and harm your other plants.
Not all volunteers are a menace though. I recently was delighted to find baby silvery lupine growing next to my currants! Take the time to research the “weeds” that magically appear in your landscape. You might find hidden benefit to plants you once mercilessly exterminated!
Enough is Enough
The next thing we need to discuss is your tolerance threshold. Nature abhors absolutes. If your standard is that there can’t be a single weed in your yard, then you have set yourself up to fail and just invited frustration into your life. Think about weeds more as a spectrum. This can be either based on size, type, or quantity.
· Size – You may allow weeds in your yard that are smaller than a golf ball.
· Type – Perhaps you find that clover in your lawn (since it is a beneficial nitrogen fixer) or friendly, edible purslane in your flower beds doesn’t really offend you.
· Quantity – Maybe you wait to pounce on the invaders until there are 6 or more in an area.
Feel free to be creative with your threshold, just choose what works best for you and your yard.
Plan of Attack
· Catch weeds while they’re small. Weeds are much easier to kill when they are still seedlings when occurs for about the first 2.5 weeks after they appear above ground. At the very least you must pull them before they flower and go to seed!
· Get the root! If you do choose to pull weeds, make sure you get all of it. Quite a few species will regenerate from any pieces of root you leave behind.
· Cover the soil. Nature hates bare ground and will cover the ground with weeds if you don’t address it. Using a 3-4” layer of rock or wood mulch will help prevent new weeds, but it won’t stop the existing ones. Just make sure you don’t suffocate your existing plants with mulch!
· Chemicals have their place but use them as a last resort. They are heavily misused in urban environments and the ill effects are beginning to come to light. Research other options such as solarization, special tools to pull them, or organic alternatives.
· Be consistent. It can take several seasons to break the cycle if a yard has been allowed to be overgrown with weeds. Consistent care will greatly reduce the amount over time until your yard simply doesn’t grow many weeds.
· Limit new weed seeds. Any areas near your house that are a haven for weeds will allow the weeds to spread to your yard. Convince your neighbors to address the issue or mow them down before they go to seed. You can also plant hedges or build fences to physically help deter the spread.
· When in doubt bring in a professional. A knowledgeable maintenance company will be able to help you address specific issues or develop an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan.
Knowledge is Power
This article on covers a small amount of information. If you are interested in learning more, I would highly recommend looking at WSU’s Hortsense website. It covers everything from weed identification to lawn issues to common issues with vegetable gardens.
http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/Home/HortsenseHome.aspx
Thank you for being interested enough in your landscape to want to learn more and for being a part of our growth as a community. Together we can make the Inland Northwest more beautiful!
Alison Pasino
Designer/Project Manager & Certified Arborist
Photo Credit: Winter Enright
Some varieties of thistles are a beautiful addition to a landscape and other varieties are a painful nuisance.