Vinegar is an effective household cleaning solution for windows, counter tops, cutting boards and much more. But how about as a weed killer? Acetic acid, also known as vinegar, is used in products for weed control. Many people choose it because it is natural. However, acetic acid can damage skin and eyes, especially at concentrations […]
Is Vinegar Safe to use on Weeds? Read More »
In spring our hillsides can be covered with brilliant soft yellow flowers that are beautiful to behold. And yet – they are an incredibly invasive plant that grow in dense stands that outcompete many native plants. These dense stands are highly flammable and increase the risk of wildfires. The most common species found in California
Don’t Let the Pretty Flowers Fool You! Read More »
Ever heard of kudzu vine? It’s often referred to as “the invasive vine that ate the south” and the “mile-a-minute” plant. Once established, kudzu grows at a rate of one foot per day with mature vines growing up to 100 feet long. We have a smaller, somewhat less aggressive type of weed – field bindweed.
Bindweed is a Really Nasty Weed Read More »
Commonly called the tree of heaven, this invasive plant is anything but! Also referred to as Chinese sumac, Ailanthus altissima is a highly invasive tree in California. It can grow three feet a year, cloning itself via underground suckers or through the hundreds of thousands of seeds each tree produces every year. This notorious plant
Not really a Heavenly Tree Read More »
Weeds growing with abandon? In your vegetable and flower beds and in your lawn? Weeds, simply put, are plants growing where they aren’t wanted. Almost any plant – from grasses to trees to shrubs, under the right conditions, can be considered a weed. They come in a myriad of shapes, colors, sizes, and degrees of
Taming those Pesky Weeds Read More »
With the first real rains of the season, weeds are sprouting all over. Since Nature doesn’t like bare soil, weeds will fill in any available space including pots, raised beds, or anywhere space and soil are available. Prevent weeds by planning ahead for new planting areas and using a combination of competitive plants, mulches, and
Prevent Weeds from Taking Hold Read More »
The main benefits a layer of mulch on your vegetable or flower beds include: Adding mulch is one easy way to keep soil cool, block light, and prevent weeds from growing. Not sure what to use? If possible, choose an organic material that adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Check out this
Prevent Weeds with Mulch Read More »
With abundant rains come bountiful weeds. Some of the most troublesome in early spring are common groundsel, oxalis, mallows, and nutsedges. Common groundsel produces many seeds and can rapidly infest landscape beds. It is best controlled before it flowers. Remove young plants with a hoe, and top soil with mulch. Mallows are annual weeds that
The incredibly wet winter behind us, though you may now be dealing with some of its impacts. Time to get ahead of the curve with preventing pest problems:
After the Wet Weather Read More »
A fast and easy way to get rid of weeds is to use one of the popular weed killers – just spray it on and the weeds die within days. But what if that same product contacts desirable plants, like your roses, vegetables, or fruit trees? You certainly don’t want them exposed. Herbicides, aka weed
Herbicides can kill more than just weeds Read More »
