IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR: Everything seems to be coming up weeds. It can really help to know your opponent–and also, sometimes, simply to commiserate with other gardeners who are facing the problem plants that came with the place (like my profusion of garlic mustard, above), and also perhaps a few they inadvertently introduced themselves. These stories may help you fight the good fight:
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Hi Margaret! I have been most successful in eradicating the garlic mustard from my gardens with diligent hand weeding. However, I have noticed that the roadsides around my home are loaded with this nasty bi-annual in full bloom! I am preparing for the onslaught!
Here, too, Laurie. The roadsides are the problem…I can almost watch the next generation blowing across the street! :( UGH!
Hey, think again…they actually make a very nutritious food! Susun Weed has a great article about this: Weeds in Your Garden? — Bite Back!
She says, “I always say the gardener’s best revenge is to eat the weeds. I’ve been doing it for thirty years and can testify that my health and the health of my garden has never been better. Here are a few hints for gardeners who’d rather eat their weeds than hate them…”
Here in England, we call this Jack-by-the-Hedge . . . deceptively attractive leaves for the beginner – and the next thing you know . . . .
Fascinating, Mandy — that the common name in the UK for garlic mustard is Jack-by-the-hedge. Makes it sound almost like something you’d want to have…but then you quickly find out otherwise! Nice to see you.
“Project native” has a recipe for garlic mustard provided by Jean George Vongerichten. Enjoy!
Here’s the link:
http://www.projectnative.info/uploads/From_Pest_to_Pesto.pdf
Margaret,
Thank you for identifying that prolific weed pilea pumila. I had looked everywhere and asked everyone last summer when it was driving me mad. It has always been around but last summer I saw far more of it than ever. Vast expanses of it sprouted everywhere and pulling all of it from my 1 acre garden in central CT seemed hopeless. Garlic mustard also bad here but pilea takes the cake.
It does indeed, Joan, and I had no idea what it was for years! Misery loves company, so here we are together up to our shins in it.