Spring Cleaning, In The Garden
Posted April 11th, 2010
by Kenny Symonds, Working Owner
I am so happy now that spring is underway and our gardens are planted and the weeds are growing. Why am I happy that the weeds are growing? Well, I love being out doors and it happens to be the perfect time to get rid of those weeds and obnoxious invasive species. The most important thing to remember about invasive plants (including weeds) is that we need to prevent the dispersal of their seeds. After that is done, then comes preventing weed seeds from getting vital sunlight that they need to sprout.
The first step in spring-cleaning is to remove any and all invasive species in your yard. Plants like, English Holly, English Ivy & Himalayan Blackberry, are all too common and they are detrimental to our ecosystem (If you are unfamiliar with invasive plants, use the resources at the end of this article to learn more). Now, for those weeds! It’s time to mow, hoe & turn them over into the soil. It is most important to make sure none of the weeds are flowering (if they are, pick the buds and trash them).
Next, it’s time to mulch. Rake and chop up dead leaves, grass, and pine needles and disperse them in a 2-3” thick layer. This mulch becomes a barrier between sunlight and seeds that we don’t want growing. When it breaks down, mulch becomes humus, which is vital to soil health and the best mulch is the kind you find in your own yard. (Slugs love mulch and here’s a tip to keep them out for good. Dig a hole that will fit a small container and fill the container with beer. Let the lip of the container be slightly above even with the surface. Remove the drunken slugs every morning.)
Invasive plants tend to be discouraged when there are already healthy plants growing, so its time to introduce native and smother crops. Smother crops are fast sprouting, broad leaved, and are relatively short in height. Leafy greens like Kale and spinach as well as some strawberries are perfect for the job. Native plants like Sword Fern, Kinnikinnick, Salmonberry, Tall Oregon Grape, and Salal offer beauty, diversity and maintain soil health when mixed with ornamentals and edibles. Better yet, native plants require little or no watering because they are adapted to our climate and its conditions.
Throughout the year we reap the benefits of enjoying our garden without picking weeds every week and eating fresh native berries in the summer. Before long, we will all soon look forward to spring-cleaning in the garden every year just like I do.
For more information, visit these resources.
http://oregoninvasiveshotline.org
www.statesmanjournal.com
www.plantnative.org/nd_or.htm
http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/statelist2.shtml
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