If there is one daily activity that unites the human race above all others, it’s weeding. If you are anything like me, you will often find me in my garden, patrolling for weeds on a regular basis, it’s essential.
Even if you confine your horticultural efforts to growing ornamental plants, you still have to make weeding a priority if you wish to keep your garden plants from being overcome by unwelcome invaders.
Four weeds stand out for their virtual indestructibility, and I will list them from least to most troublesome.
Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)
In order for Bermuda grass to thrive, it needs regular water in hot weather, if not daily irrigation, but it can survive virtually without water. It’s runners that root wherever a node touches the soil and its roots can go down as far as 10 feet. In an ornamental or vegetable garden, hand pulling will keep Bermuda grass under reasonable control and 4 inches of mulch above a layer of newspaper will have a depressing effect on its growth.
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Common bindweed is a wiry-rooted weed with attractive white, pinkish-white, or pink flowers. It’s called bindweed because it binds itself and winds itself around the stems and leaves of everything in its path and, if nothing is in its path, it winds around itself. It is a climbing or creeping herbaceous perennial plant with stems growing to 0.5–2 metres in length and it can never be completely dug out owing to its rhizomes and taproot. In addition, its seeds remain viable for more than 20 years.
To control bindweed, put on rubber gloves and spray a systemic herbicide onto a sponge. Sponge the leaves and shoots of your bindweed and watch it all wither away. If you want to avoid using toxic chemicals in the garden, try some of the newer non-toxic varieties.
Wood sorrel or oxalis (Oxalis corniculata)
Wood sorrel is another attractive weed. Novice gardeners often mistake it for clover, because of its shamrock foliage. It also has the look of an ornamental ground cover, due to its mounding growth habit and attractive, butter-yellow flowers. There are two commonly seen types, one with green and one with maroon- to deep violet-coloured leaves.
The problem with oxalis eradication is its wiry taproot and explosive seed capsules. If you scrape or hoe it off to ground level, it will simply grow back. If you try to dig out its roots, you will be at great pains to remove them completely because they grow in a web. You can control with the same techniques described above for field bindweed. The problem with oxalis is that it does not stay confined to a single flower bed, but shoots its seeds six feet in every direction. It can easily become a gardening headache.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Often called mare’s tail, this weed is an invasive, deep-rooted perennial weed that will spread quickly to form a dense carpet of foliage. In spring, fertile light brown stems appear with a cone-like spore producing structure at the end of the stems. In summer, sterile green shoots develop into fir tree-like plants, 60cm (2ft) tall. They often enter gardens by spreading underground from neighbouring properties or land.
Removal of mare’s tail by hand is difficult, as shallow weeding is not effect as the plant can regrow from any small pieces left behind. Removing shoots as soon as they appear will help reduce infestation. Weedkiller can also be used where there are no herbaceous perennials, bulbs or crops. Any product containing glyphosate will inhibit new shoots.
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed is quite possibly the worst weed currently found in the UK. It is hazardous to our health and an infestation can damage your garden, home and mortgage.
The stems of this weed look like bamboo and the leaves are shield-shaped and lush green Ieaves with white flowers in the summer. In winter the canes will brown and look dead but don’t be fooled as this will return in full-force next spring causing more harm.
How do weeds get into the garden?
Unfortunately, most weeds are brought in with plants purchased at the nursery. Garden centres generally have weed-free plants but you should walk around and check. If you notice weeds sprouting in some of the containers do not purchase plants at that location.
For more information about weeds or to discuss the weeds in your garden and how to get rid of them, please get in touch.
