60323They are weeds for a reason. They grow like . . . well, weeds! By definition, they are unwanted. Yet, they typically proliferate and grow faster than desirable plants. They aggressively compete for space, sunlight and resources. Many weeds start to grow through winter, and get established while other seedlings are just beginning to germinate, or other plants are just waking from dormancy.

Besides staying ahead of other plants, weeds stay ahead of us by growing so much while the wintry weather keeps us inside. Many weeds are really just trying to stay ahead of insects or animals that eat them in the wild. Since almost all weeds are exotic (nonnative) and far from their natural homes, the insects or animals that should eat them are not here to do so. It is an unfair advantage.

Now that the weather is more conducive to gardening, weeds should be pulled as soon as they are big enough to get a grip on. This includes tree, shrub and big perennial weeds like blue gum eucalyptus, Acacia dealbata, coast live oak, glossy privet and giant reed. If simply cut down, they will regenerate even stronger, and will probably need to be dug out. The roots are difficult to kill.

Annual weeds are very different. They will die by next winter without any help. Some will die when they dry out over summer. However, they should be pulled anyway, before they bloom and sow their seed. If the weeds are too abundant to exterminate, they should at least be cut down before their seed develops. In some situations, the mown or cut weeds might be preferable to bare soil.

Burrclover, bindweed and purslane stay so low to the ground that mowing or cutting weeds does not slow them down much. They must unfortunately be pulled, which is a serious chore in large areas! Dandelion and foxtail can get mown once, but they have a sneaky way of coming back lower to avoid losing seed the next time. Dandelion can actually come back next year as a perennial.

Bermudagrass and crabgrass are low growing perennial grasses that spread vegetatively (with their stems), even if deprived of their seed. They are very tough! Spurge and oxalis seem like they should be wimpy, but they sow seed so profusely and so early that, by the time they get noticed, their next generations are already started. Oxalis survives winter with perennials stems and bulbs.60323thumb

28 thoughts on “Weeds Have Been Very Busy”

  1. My worst weed is spotted spurge. It grows all through my garden, but also in rocky paths, can go without water for ages, and withstand great heat as well as cold. To top it off, it usually snaps off at ground level when I try to pull it out, and then regrows. Grrrrr!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. There are a whole different set of weeds there; and I have heard that some specie of yucca are invasive! How unfortunate. I really like them, and do not like to think of them as weeds.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. Was it the common giant yucca, Yucca elephantipes? Actually, I do not know if that is a common one there. The tropical types from Central America are probably more popular than the desert types, or those from North America.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I don’t know what it was as I was given it by a bloke round the corner who was ripping a huge plant out. I should’ve taken notice of how large his plant had grown, silly me….

        Liked by 1 person

    1. That seems to be the most hated of weeds. I mean that more people hate it than any other, in many regions. It does not spread much here, but where it gets going, it is impossible to kill.

      Like

      Reply

    1. That is not crazy. I work with someone who likes to mow lawns that are several acres. Now, that is crazy; but I do not argue because I do not want to do it.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Yes. I would grow them and chicory for greens, but I really do not like them growing as weeds. Even if I were to take all the flowers off, I just do not trust them.

      Like

      Reply

  8. I find weed pulling awfully therapeutic. Have been pulling a lot of Bittercress lately – it is EVERYWHERE!!! The thought of Acacia dealbata as a weed made me laugh! I nurse mine along in a pot, so I can move it indoors when temps drop too low. One man’s treasure… LOL!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      2. What? No flowers? Well, I suppose the foliage is nice too. The flowers are very flashy, but some people dislike the fragrance. They smell like an oil refinery, which is nice if you like that sort of thing. I like the fragrance because it is so familiar.

        Like

Leave a comment