Greening Up Your Thumb — Perennial weed destruction
By Tammy Jones
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 11:14 AM PST
If you have a problem with perennial weeds, they require a different approach than annual weeds. You can actually make it worse by cultivating the soil and pulling them by hand. A better way is a systematic approach.
If you want to control your perennial weeds by hand-pulling, it requires very diligent effort. You have to catch every single weed as soon as it emerges from the soil. A weeding tool of any kind can be used for this as long as you are able to cut the roots off 4 to 5 inches below soil level. If you can accomplish this, you completely cut off the weed’s access to sunlight. If you continuously cut down the weeds this way, eventually they will die. If you leave any part of the weed near the soil’s surface, it will continue to harass you and your garden. Only if you are absolutely attentive will you succeed in destroying the perennial weeds by hand-pulling.
For those with less determination, there is an herbicide that is effective against almost all perennial weeds. It is very specific and works only on those plants it comes in direct contact with. It is essentially harmless to the soil, people and the environment.
This herbicide, called SharpShooter, is made up of soap-based fatty acids. These acids act as a desiccant (drying agent) to the plant with a single application. Your weed will lose its moisture in a matter of minutes and is usually dead in a matter of hours. This herbicide breaks down on the plant and is then harmless to the rest of your garden.
Some things you might be doing in your garden:
•If you are wanting to add more bulbs to your landscape, choose plump, firm and blemish-free specimens. Many tulips have skins like onions that are sometimes partially or completely removed. This does not affect their growth as long as it is solid and free of soft spots.
• No more pruning your roses. They are going to sleep now, and they don’t need to be woken up. Wait until the early spring to shape them the way you would like them to look.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you can contact me at kntjones@mindspring.com. Have a great day.
For questions or comments, Tammy Jones can be contacted at kntjones@mindspring.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Argus Observer.
