Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Smoothie Garden Solution
Poison ivy is the most prominent of several dangerous plants that
can invade a garden, posing a threat both to your vegetables and
your skin. The best way to get rid of poison ivy is to rake it out.
Using a sturdy rake, carefully tug at the ivy, making sure the
whole plant-including the roots-comes out. Make sure you clean
your rake and wash your hands well; the oil in poison ivy can be
harmful.
Perennial weeds live for years. Some produce seeds and others
spread by their roots or bulbs. Perennial weeds often have deep
roots that creep underground, making them difficult to eradicate. To
control them, dig them out, removing as much of the root as you
can. You often have to pull these weeds on a regular basis in order
to get all the root system. Some common perennial weeds are dan-
delion, thistle, bindweed, chicory, plantain, wild sorrel, and dock.
Woody perennials include poison ivy, kudzu, morning glory, and
Japanese honeysuckle. These are often invasive and are spread
mainly by birds that love the seeds of these plants. Some of these
plants need only a piece of stem to come in contact with soil to begin
growing, so they can multiply quickly.
Grasses are another invasive perennial weed. These can make
some of the worst weeds because they produce a lot of seeds and
the plants are difficult to uproot. Quack grass and some varieties of
bamboo are common grasses that are considered weeds, especially
in the vegetable garden. These plants produce underground roots
and stems, and new plants pop up several yards away from the par-
ent plant, making them difficult to remove.
