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 »
You’ve got weeds taking over your yard, and you’re about to pull out the weed killer spray to knock them down. Before you do: Stop. Before taking any action. Think. What do you know, and should you know about this product? Before using any pesticide it’s a good idea to understand the product and any
Managing weeds safely Read More »
There are weeds, and then there are serious weeds. A common description of a weed is any plant growing where you don’t want it. But what about invasive weeds and the worst, noxious weeds? What’s the difference, and why be concerned? The Weed Science Society of America defines a weed as “a plant that causes
The Godzilla of Weeds Read More »
“An invasive plant is a plant that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health” says Plant Right, a California non-profit working with California’s nursery industry to keep invasive plants out of our landscapes and to promote the sale of
What is an invasive plant? Read More »
With our draconian water restrictions in place, many people are swapping out their front lawns for artificial grass. Hailed as a sustainable alternative to the traditional lawn, is it really? It’s true that you’ll reduce your water use, eliminate the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and no need for power tools to keep it looking
Think Twice before Installing a Fake Lawn Read More »
With hot weather and water restrictions, lawns are definitely not looking their best. Do you really want to keep the swath of green growing or make a change and swap it out? If you’re up for trying something different, now’s a great time to do it. You can get financial rebates from the local water
Time to ditch the lawn? Read More »
The main benefits a layer of mulch on your vegetable or flower beds can provide include: Conserves moisture by slowing evaporation Reduces growth of weeds Helps reduce erosion Adds organic matter as it breaks down Increases water absorption and retention Makes surface areas more attractive With our current drought situation, we’re all trying to preserve
Mulch gives you a big bang for your buck Read More »
Spring is here and so are the weeds! Are you seeing grasses, dandelions, bindweed, and even wild blackberry popping up in your lawn, flower beds, vegetable gardens, or other exposed spaces? Even in teeny spaces between bricks on your patio? What’s a gardener to do with such a bounty of weeds? The most effective method
Get those weeds early! Read More »
The rains of winter are still in progress, and along with it is the veritable carpet of green that now surrounds us. Plants may be growing, especially the ones you don’t want – the weeds in your garden. You know the saying – a weed is simply any plant in a place you don’t want
Get Them While They’re Young Read More »
If you see this plant pop up somewhere in your garden, be careful! This robust invader is American pokeweed, also known as pokeberry, and poke salad. Native to the eastern U.S. it’s spreading in parts of California including Marin backyards. Left on its own, it can grow about 6 to 10 feet tall, produces long
Watch out for this poisonous weed Read More »
