Eddy approved less-toxic control that works

wweeeedd Ccontrolontrol for healthy and

t is unrealistic to think that we WEEDS CAN BE These varieties should be subjected can have a or a that BENEFICIAL to high temperature composting or is entirely weed free. We need Deep-rooted weeds such as thistles, bagged and properly disposed in a I to manage weeds so they don’t pigweeds, and nightshades can bring landfill. become an overwhelming problem. up minerals from the subsoil that are This means tolerating some weeds in then deposited in the topsoil when the With established perennial weeds, some situations. If you really want to die and decompose. Deep roots concentrate on digging up the roots solve your weed problem, you will can open pathways for water and for or depriving them of energy. If you need to spend some time, have some roots of less aggressive plants. Weeds cannot dig up the roots, cut the patience, and expend some effort. in the sunflower (), parsley down to the ground. Cover the area (Apiaceae), and mustard (Cruciferae) with thick mulch, and if plants send WHAT IS A WEED? families produce flowers that feed up new shoots, cut them down again. A weed in the garden is usually a beneficial insects with their nectar and Don’t allow the plants to flower, pro- plant growing in the wrong place. This pollen. duce new leaves, or go to seed. With includes not only plants we normally no leaves to produce energy, the roots think of as weeds, such as the dan- NON-CHEMICAL will eventually use up their reserves delion, but also the volunteer tomato STRATEGIES FOR and be unable to produce new shoots. seedlings coming up in the compost CONTROLLING WEEDS we’ve spread on a flower bed. If you To solve your weed problems in the Water Management know what it is, the lifecycle and be- long run, you must make the habitat Prevent weeds from growing by select- haviors or habitats, you have a better “uninviting to the weeds.” It is also ing the proper plants for a given chance of controlling a pest. very important to prevent weeds from climate to out compete the weeds or going to seed. If you can reduce the by keeping the too dry to support INVASIVES number of weed seeds in and around plants. Drip irrigation systems with There are, however, a number of your garden, you have won half the drip emitters deliver water only to nonnative plants that are very seri- battle. desirable plants. Proper watering of a ous pests. When these plants are lawn will keep it healthy and resistant introduced into new areas, they can Hand Weeding (or grubbing) to invasion by weeds and diseases. overwhelm native vegetation and Weeds are easiest to pull when they Weeds prefer disturbed bare soil with degrade the environment for wild- are fairly small and when the soil is lots of light. Therefore, keep the soil life and alike. The worst of moist, but not wet. There are a num- in between your plants covered with these invasive plants are classified ber of useful weeding tools for sale, mulch that excludes light from the soil. as noxious weeds. The government and gloves will protect your hands. spends millions of dollars every year Any weeds you pull up (or cut off) Mulching to remove them! Some commonly can be used as mulch around desired A thick layer of mulch deprives weeds available garden plants are actually plants or can be composted, as long and their seeds of light. Organic invasive weeds that can “escape” from as they have not yet flowered and mulches, such as compost, leaves, our gardens. (Take a look at a list of will not reproduce from plant frag- sawdust, straw, newspapers, and noxious weeds at http://idahoweed- ments, tubers, or bulbs (i.e. Canadian cardboard, have the added benefit of awareness.org). Don’t use these plants Thistle). Once weeds flower, there is providing organic matter for soil or- or transplant any from your yard. a danger that seeds will mature on ganisms to feed on. fab- the plants even after they are pulled. ric and black plastic will also exclude

Choose less-toxic pest controls for your home and garden. light from weeds and their seeds. grass. This action effectively gives WATER POLLUTION It is important to understand that weeds the sunlight needed to out Common household (a term which mulches only prevent weeds that compete the turf grass for the rest of includes all chemical control such as , are under them from growing. the summer. Recommend that only insecticides, rodenticides, etc.) can make their Most organic mulches provide a one-third of the grass height is cut way into treated wastewater and local waterways, good growing medium for weed off at any mowing to prevent stress- and may be at levels that can harm sensitive aquatic life. Pesticides can also get into ground seeds that blow in on top of the ing the grass and maintaining shade water which may be used as drinking water. Water mulch, but you can more easily to the ground to prevent weed pollution prevention agencies have teamed up pull weeds growing in mulch than development. When you remove with participating retail stores, and professional in soil. Weeds will also grow on weeds from a lawn, sprinkle some pest control associations to reduce the risks top of weed fabric or plastic once grass seed in the spot and compact associated with improper use. enough soil or organic matter has the soil so that grass rather than Use pesticides according to label directions, accumulated. weeds will fill in the void. paying close attention to surface and ground water advisories. Dispose of unwanted or leftover Use sawdust mulch only where Cultivation pesticides at a household hazardous waste you don’t want anything to grow Cultivation is using a tool, like a collection facility or event; or through the Idaho (e.g., in a pathway) because shovel, hoe, or tiller, to turn the soil State Department of (ISDA) Pesticide decomposing sawdust temporar- or remove weeds. Cultivation can Disposal Program (PDP). Clean, plastic pesticide ily depletes nitrogen from the soil bring weed seeds to the surface, and fertilizer containers may also be recycled surface and makes it hard for open the soil surface to blown through ISDA’s Container Recycling Operation Program (). Please call 208-465-8442 or plants to survive. seeds, disrupt the food web of soil visit: www.agri.idaho.gov for more information. For organisms, and alter soil structure, additional information on pesticide disposal, call Competitive Planting so use this technique sparingly. 1-800-CLEANUP or visit: www.1800CLEANUP. Vigorous ground covers and org. Mowing plants with dense foliage can FOR MORE INFORMATION shade the ground enough that Mow weeds or cut them before they produce flowers or go to seed. Be- Active ingredients are listed on the front of the prod- weed seeds have difficulty germi- uct. Pesticide information profiles can be found on nating. Lawns that are cut high ware that some weeds will continue the Oregon State University hosted webpage http:// will be able to shade out most to produce seed on lower branches extoxnet.orst.edu/pips. The University of Idaho’s weeds. Do not cut the lawn short and repeat mowing and hand grub- Extension Educators, located in most counties, can bing may be needed. often assist in local pest management questions. No in the spring to remove dead endorsement of specific brand name products is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar prod- ucts that are not mentioned.

For more information, contact: Partners for Clean Water www.PartnersForCleanWater.org Idaho State Department of Agriculture www.agri.state.id.us/ things to avoid and why University of Idaho IPM website: These considerations will reduce the potential indiscriminate use of chemical control products www.extension.uidaho.edu/ and therefore reduce the potential exposure of pesticide residues to humans, animals and the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension environment. Master Gardeners in your area • Use of pesticide products without: www.extension.uidaho.edu/idahogardens/ 1. knowing what pest you are trying to control, Western Integrated Pest 2. consideration of alternative control options (IPM), Management Center 3. selecting the most appropriate product for your situation, and www.wripmc.org/ 4. reading and following the label directions. IPM Institute of North America • Automated aerosols and plant feeders: These devices may disperse chemicals in a way www.ipminstitute.org/ that can increase the risks of exposure to unintentional targets. National Pest Management Association • Careless use of ground sterilants: These can leach; either use great care or alternative www.Pest World.org control methods to prevent damage to desired plants or water contamination. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Central Contra Costa Sanitary District originally developed this Integrated Pest Management (IPM) outreach program for California. The Partners for Clean Water, with assistance from the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension, modified the information for Idaho.

www.PartnersForCleanWater.org

May 2008