WEEDS, WEEDS, AND MORE WEEDS

Weeds are one of our largest tasks.  We try to mulch as much of the borders as possible, but usually only get about 2/3s done by April when it is no longer practical.  The mulch, dairy cow manure, if on thick enough, about 3-4 inches, will prevent seed grown weed problems fairly well.  There are several ways this works.  The mulch can kill seedlings by burning them with the ammonium nitrate in the urea from the cows, by suffocating them, and by preventing more from germinating.  The latter works by making the former soil level dark and many weed seeds need light to germinate.  

Shot Weed, Pepper Grass (it is not a grass), Spit Weed, Bittercress (it is not bitter and tastes like watercress) - Latin:  Cardamine oligosperma.  This weed is very common in Seattle and sets lots of seed that is shot out when ripe.  Best if weeded early before seed sets, will grow hidden in grass and can ripen seed if left in piles after weeding – best not to compost.

Dandelions  - Latin:  Taraxacum officinale.  Yellow composite in spring and through the year has a taproot that must be dug out.

Dock - Latin:  Rumex obtusifolius.  Also has a taproot and must be dug out.  Leaves can be crushed and juice spread on nettle burns and the stinging will go away.

Annual Fireweed or Dwarf Fireweed - Latin:  Epilobium ciliatum.  This is one of our worst problems.  Seeds can blow in the wind long distances like thistles so will always return.  The Borders are so densely planted that often we miss these and they go to seed hidden.  This is a winter weed.  It germinates in summer, grows through fall and lives through the winter as a crown.  When spring comes along it grows quickly and blooms and seeds rapidly in summer.  In areas where we have not mulched by April, there can be a solid carpet of seedlings that have germinated in early spring.  This is a very versatile weed and is commonly found in the crowns of our plants – Iris, Peonies, Hellebores and Geraniums.

Morning Glory, Bindweed - Latin:  One of various Calystegia or Convolvulus species.  We have a small patch of this that may have come in with one of the plants.  It is very difficult to remove from clay since every bit of root can grow.  It must be carefully and tediously weeded out.  White flowers and grows from seed.

Quack Grass, Runner Grass - Latin:  Agropyron repens. This spreading grass runs under ground and can actually grow right through the crown of a perennial so is very hard to remove.  Any piece of root with a node or growth point can grow so removal is again very labor intensive.  These last two weeds are in the Yellow Black & Blue Section and they probably will take quite a while to remove because of the clay.

Annual Blue Grass – Latin:  Poa annua, a major grass pest in perennial gardens.  Lime green in spring, it will set seed by mid-Spring which can germinate and flower in its turn through summer.  This migrates through the lawn and you will see it commonly at the edge of the lawn.  This grass is a major problem for golf courses as it is the first grass to go dormant in hot or dry weather.  Look in your lawn and you’ll see that you have it!

Clover, White Clover - Latin:  Trifolium repens.  It is a running weed that will weave in amongst low perennials.  It will grow in full sun and is relatively shade tolerant for a clover.  All parts must be removed as stems can root and it sets lots of seed.  It is in the Golden Creeping Jenny in the Hot Border.

Buttercups - Latin:  Ranunculus repens.  A well-hidden pest.  We actually have areas where we are not sure whether to pull it up.  Near the bog we have Ranunculus constantinopolitanus ‘Plenus’, which looks just like it.  A crown can be pulled more easily in soft soil when you can get your fingers or a tool under the crown and yank it out.  Spreads by seed and runners, which can be several feet long.  Heavy manure can discourage “Them”.

Wild European Strawberry - Latin:  Frageria vesca.  We introduced this and now remove most of it.  It spreads by seed and runners.  It is easy to pull out – just needs to be watched.  This is the small, long, thin strawberry the French soak in Chenin Blanc.

Plantains - There are several.  The common Broad-Leaf Plantain, Plantago major and Plantago major ‘Rubrifolia’, which we started with only three and now have legions into the lawn.  As an ornamental, this red leafed plantain is easy to control, just remove the seed heads immediately as the seed does not fall out very easily unless completely ripe.

Lemon balm - Latin: Melissa officinalis.  It has a wonderful scent and is a nasty weed.  We use one golden variegated form for its chartreuse and yellow foliage, but should not let it go to seed.

Impatiens, Jewel Weed, or Touch-me-not.  Latin:  Impatians glandulifera.  This one appeared in the garden in the bog as a single plant.  It fit the color scheme and Bob is quite fond of these plants.  The problem is they can throw seeds nearly 8 feet and the border is so dense, we were never able to get them all.  They have now tossed their progeny throughout the main border and across the gravel path, but have not made it to the shade border – YET!