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Control of common weeds
Weeds are a perpetual challenge to gardeners. Sometimes it feels like I’ve had to combat more weeds in my Auckland garden than anybody else has come across in other parts of the world! Here are some tips on various types of weed control for some of the most common weeds.
There are 2 main types of weed control:
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Mechanical – i.e. by hand/machine using the appropriate tools |
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Chemical – with sprays
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Some weeds require both types of attack to eliminate then totally.
Onehunga Weed
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A nasty, frilly leafed prickly problem that can get into bare feet in summer.
The best form of control is to use Yates Prickle Weedkiller, it’s ideal for this problem. It selectively kills off Onehunga Weed and a number of other broadleaf weeds in lawns, without hurting the lawns themselves. Use Yates Prickle Weedkiller in the autumn, before the prickles have a chance to develop.
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Convolvulous
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A straggling, strangling creeper that has purple flowers and is wrecking havoc in our native bush.
The most effective control for convolvulus is Woody Weedkiller. This product is a selective weedkiller and controls broadleaf weeds only. The spray works slowly and the effects may not be visible for 3 to 4 weeks.
Precautions: Do not spray when winds are obvious as spray drift can damage other plants nearby. You would also need to ensure that animals, pets, etc are well away when spraying. If you are spraying in a concentrated area, you will need to delay any fresh planting for 6 months.
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Lawns
If your lawn has lots of weeds growing in it, what should you do to kill them off, yet not damage the grass itself? You could use Scotts Lawn Builder and Weed Kill. This product not only kills the weeds in the lawn, but gives the added benefit of fertilising your lawn at the same time.
Weeds occur most prolifically in undernourished lawns, but will appear in even the most manicured lawns.
Solution: Spray in the spring and autumn with Turfix Weed Spray.
Woody Weedkiller works on broad leaf weeds in lawns.
Oxalis
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Oxalis is a clover-type leafed weed that grows from tiny bulbs that seem to breed perpetually. You can spray, carefully with various chemicals, following the application directions on the packaging. (Eg. Amitrole, Butlers Glysophate Weed Killer.) Spraying will need to be repeated to kill off all the bulblets. You can also painstakingly remove them by hand (don’t compost them – they will sprout!). Alternatively, you can try pulling the leaves/stems off time and time again, until the bulb becomes exhausted – which will happen - eventually! (Also known as Wood Sorrel.)
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Dock
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Dock is generally difficult to control because of its long tap root. If the dock weed is on your lawn, you can control it with Woody Weedkiller. Spray it according to the manufacturer’s directions. Woody Weedkiller works on broad leaf weeds in lawns. It is not advisable to use this product on your garden - but it can safely be used on lawns. If the dock weed is in your flower garden you will need to dig it out by hand; while they are small is best, making sure you pull out the root as well. You can also spot spray with Roundup, Glyphosate or Buster (available in the Kiwicare range) which is known as Shortcut 20. Take care not to get any spray drift on desirable plants. |
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Bamboo
Total elimination of bamboo can be a long process – but well worth the effort. Firstly, you need to chop it down to ground level. Secondly, have the stumps ground out or dug to remove as much of the roots as possible. From here on, you need to spray new shoots (once they’ve reached about 1 metre and have sufficient leaf) with Amitrole. The spraying set of the process needs to continue for at least 3 months, and it is advisable to leave replanting in that area for as long as you can.
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