Does it seem like your garden is sprouting weeds everywhere?! While we are always grateful for winter rains in our drought-prone state, an unwanted side effect can be weeds.

What is a Weed?

A weed is basically an undesirable plant growing in an undesirable spot. However, what one person considers to be a weed may be a desirable plant to someone else. One example would be planting Bermuda grass in a ball field. Another would be harvesting nettles to make tea.

I must confess I have a love-hate relationship with dandelions and thistle. Dandelions are wonderful greens in salads. I also love blowing the seeds from dandelions and watching them float on the breeze. Both dandelions and thistles have lovely, bright, colorful flowers that attract honeybees who make delicious honey from those flowers.

Weeds are invasive by producing a lot of seeds, giving them a high reproductive rate. They grow rapidly and can thrive in areas such as dry or waterlogged dirt, nutrient-poor soils, or compacted land. These characteristics allow them to outcompete landscape or native plants. They can also harbor plant pathogens or harmful insects.

Why Control Weeds?

In addition to being invasive, weeds can also harbor plant pathogens or harmful pests. They can be unattractive, trap unsightly trash, break down pavement, hinder vehicle visibility, impact human health due to pollen, and during our hot, dry summers be sites for wildfires.

How to Control Weeds?

Preventing weeds is always the best method. Mulching can help prevent weeds from starting or spreading. Another way to control weeds is by digging out or cutting down the entire weed before they go to seed. Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides are other options but be sure you have identified the weed you want to prevent or eliminate and use an herbicide that targets that weed. Always follow directions exactly to have maximum effectiveness with minimal environmental impact.

Learn More About Springtime Weeds at Master Gardener Library Talks

During the month of March, the Stanislaus County UC Master Gardeners will be giving talks about Weed ID and Management at county libraries. Come learn more about what weeds are, some common weeds in our area, how to identify them, and ways to manage them. Classes are free, and you do not need to sign up.

Resources

• UC Integrated Pest Management website: ipm.ucanr.edu
• UC Master Gardener Stanislaus County Help Line: Call (209) 525-6802 or submit a survey with attached photos to http://ucanr.edu/ask/ucmgstanislaus

 Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UCCE Master Gardener with Stanislaus County since 2020.