Weeding 101

This bulbous perennial with leaves resembling wild garlic and small, white, star-shaped flowers is an aggressive invasive. To weed effectively, dig out the bulbs. Do not put these in the compost bins!

A winter annual, Creeping Charlie germinates in fall, over the winter and grows rapidly in early spring. Do not put these in the compost bins!

The Sophora, the tall tree at the east side of the garden, drops pods in the spring. Left to sprout, they are the devil to remove. 

An aggressive native plant, Virginia Creeper climbs by using adhesive “pads” that can damage structures. In the garden, it grows on the north fence and encroaches on the solar panels.

The leaves are easily confused with those of the Star of Bethlehem, and wild chives bloom later in the season. When weeding, dig out the entire bulb cluster. Do not put these in the compost bin!

Highly invasive, this perennial weed has deep, difficult-to-kill roots, arrow-shaped leaves, and small white/pink flowers. Dig up and remove; collect and discard all parts of the stem as they easily set new roots. Do not put these in the compost bins!

English ivy is a highly invasive, non-native plant that can smother native vegetation and kills trees. For ivy climbing a tree, cut a 6-inch gap in vines around the base of the tree; to avoid damaging the bark, do not pull the upper vines down. ​Pull up ground ivy by the roots. Do not put ivy in the compost bins!

​