Weeds
Grasses and ground covers
This loose category include herbacious weeds, ferns, and succulents. These are the smaller weeds, often escapees from gardens. They are easy to pull out by hand but, because they are prolific they are the most difficult to completely eradicate from a site.
Pulling by hand
Many plants in this category can be quite easily pulled out whole. Always pull from close to the ground. Learn to slowly increase pulling pressure so the whole root comes away. Too rapid or jerky pulling can leave enough roots in the ground to re-shoot.
If there is any seed on the plant, bag the plant and remove from site. If there is no seed, leave in a pile or on a rock or log to die.
Crown cutting
For plants with woody rhizomes just below the surface. e.g. Asparagus fern.
Grasp foliage near base and use a knife or saw (plasterer’s knives are particularly good for this) to cut around the base of the plant. The foliage and the woody crown should be easily pulled up from the ground.
Bag the crowns, remove from the site and dispose of properly.
Pulling by hand
Many plants in this category can be quite easily pulled out whole. Always pull from close to the ground. Learn to slowly increase pulling pressure so the whole root comes away. Too rapid or jerky pulling can leave enough roots in the ground to re-shoot.
If there is any seed on the plant, bag the plant and remove from site. If there is no seed, leave in a pile or on a rock or log to die.
Crown cutting
For plants with woody rhizomes just below the surface. e.g. Asparagus fern.
Grasp foliage near base and use a knife or saw (plasterer’s knives are particularly good for this) to cut around the base of the plant. The foliage and the woody crown should be easily pulled up from the ground.
Bag the crowns, remove from the site and dispose of properly.
Asparagus fern - Asparagus aethiopicus
This is a particularly problematic weed as it is invasive and difficult to eradicate once it gets established.
This is a particularly problematic weed as it is invasive and difficult to eradicate once it gets established.
Ehrhata, Panic veldt grass - Ehrharta Erecta
A very invasive and prolific grass. It seeds a few weeks after shooting and the seeds stay viable for years.
A very invasive and prolific grass. It seeds a few weeks after shooting and the seeds stay viable for years.
Cobblers pegs - Bidens pilosa
These annoying weeds have seeds that stick to clothes. Prolific reproduction means persistence is required.
These annoying weeds have seeds that stick to clothes. Prolific reproduction means persistence is required.
