Alternative Approaches to Chemical Herbicide Spraying
Timing is critical in alternative weed
control. Treatment should always be done as early as possible. It is
important to treat the weed before it has stored carbohydrates sufficient to
regenerate its top. Roots can be killed if plants are treated when they are
no more than 2 inches in height. Continual
monitoring and flexibility in scheduling treatments are highly recommended
for efficiency. For this reason, many cities have a citizen’s advisory board or
a horticulturist overseeing all weed
control work. If the weeds are not treated at the most efficient early
timing, the plants should then definitely be treated before they produce seeds.
Several
experts contacted expressed their belief that the 6.8 acres under contract
could be treated without chemicals using the same amount of money ($15,489)
used for the chemical treatment if careful attention is given to timing.
Here are
some alternative procedures and products that
work successfully for many communities.
Mechanical Methods
o
Pulling
is the most effective of all treatments because it removes the entire plant
including the root. Though more labor intensive initially, it eliminates the
need for follow up treatments on a given plant and eliminates the need for
further removal of dead plant material.
Weed-pulling does not always have to be done by full-time employees;
groups in search of a fund-raising project can sometimes be hired on a
temporary basis. (The city of
o
Mowing
and weed whacking don’t necessarily kill the plant, but if done before seed
production these methods can prevent proliferation of unwanted plants. These
methods give a tidy appearance to existing plants.
o
Hoeing
kills the entire plant if done when the plant is under 2 inches in height, but
may require repeat treatments if it is done after the plant has stored
carbohydrates sufficient to regenerate its top. In any case, treatment should
always be done as early as possible to minimize the number of repeat treatments
required.
Barriers
o
The
combination of landscaping fabric and small stones prevents the growth of weeds
below the cloth. However, because the
loose stones collect dust and become a growing medium for weeds, maintenance
can still be a considerable issue. Removal of any weed that germinates in
the stones above the cloth will cloth will be easier and complete due to
shallower roots. However, if irrigation
is present this method can be ineffective in preventing weed growth and may
require too much maintenance to be cost effective.
o
Concrete
with embedded river stones gives a nice appearance to appropriate small areas
and prevents seed germination,
unlike smaller loose stones which collect dust and become a growing medium for
weeds. This form of barrier is virtually
maintenance free.
o
CRMCrete weed barrier -- a
maintenance free, fire resistant barrier that effectively reduces chemical
spraying--lasts 3 times longer than concrete-- made partially of recycled tires,
alleviating some land fill and environmental problems (New information March10, 2007)
Re-introduce low-maintenance
naturally drought resistant native plants in appropriate places.
Mike Mingo—Natural Resources Planner, ADOT— 602-712-6993— Provided recommendations (July 2006) on appropriate native
grass and wildflower mixes for geographic area and vendors of these. Summary of his suggestions:
§
Mowing
should be done in late October, after the plants have mature seed heads. The
mower deck should be no lower than 6 inches from the ground. This height will
ensure protection of the grass plants.
If a spring mowing is needed for early weeds, avoid having the blade
height too low. Grasses need to shade themselves until the summer rains come.
§
Seed
Mixes 122.4 and 133.3 both will work for Sedona because of its geographical
location:
1.
122.4 -
2.
133.3 - INTERIOR CHAPARRAL (Prickly Poppy, Sideoats Grama, Plains
For seed mix list and vendor list, see links to the documents below. The top link is Sedona specific; the second is more inclusive.
http://www.geocities.com/sedonasprayfree/NativeGrassWildflowerMixAndVendorsForSedona.htm http://www.geocities.com/sedonasprayfree/SeedMixesVendorsNativeGrassWildflowers.htm
Sprays
o
Spraying or daubing with vinegar-based products
Burnout is used with success in
(Burnout purchased at www.milkyspore.com
— 1-800-801-0061)
Some type of vinegar based product is used successfully in
The use of a daubing stick can make alternative products
such as Burnout less costly and more effective. Workers in
o
C-Cide is a Vitamin C spray
(Contact person for purchasing C-Cide is Lisa Smith — 631-262-0851, [email protected] )
www.biologicalsolutions.org
C-Cide information-how it works,
testing, uses: http://www.geocities.com/sedonasprayfree/C-cideinfo.htm
From C-Cide literature: “C-Cide is a NON-SPECIFIC Contact
Herbicide, annihilating all it has contact with. This is a CONTACT KILL.
Although testing continues on different plant species, it
has been determined that C-Cide’s mechanism works by
infiltrating the stoma of the plant, thereby infiltrating the xylem (the
vascular tissue of the plant) and “melting” the plant’s cell walls. This destruction of the cell wall, from the
middle lamella to the plasma membrane, causes the
plant to “bleed out”. This does not allow the plant to transport vital
nutrition and ultimately kills the plant.” C-Cide information-how it
works, testing, uses: http://www.geocities.com/sedonasprayfree/C-cideinfo.htm
(additional excerpt below).
Testing:
“Testing with New York State
Department of Transportation has shown C-Cide is effective as a Non-Specific
crack and crevice herbicide. It has also been determined that mulch used after C-Cide, is an excellent
adjunct procedure creating an additional barrier from further growth or new growth from occurring (as
was
tested with Suffolk County Government, NY).
Testing completed on Tamarix (Saltcedar) by the
California Department of Parks also resulted in positive
findings
for controlling invasive plants and plans to replace their present treatment regimen
(Garlon-4 &
surfacants) with C-Cide.
Testing on Kudzu (which grows
60 feet in a growing season) with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk
County and the Township of Huntington, NY, resulted in defoliation and small vine kill. The results
Confirmed that with regular C-Cide maintenance, Kudzu can be controlled and hopefully fully eliminated
within a five year period. C-Cide, if diluted more than the recommended dilution rates, WILL NOT WORK!
In fact, it willact as a plant synergist (also under testing with Cornell Cooperative & University of
Georgia). So, it is extremely important to dilute C-Cide as instructed by our technical staff. For
Example 1:3 dilution rate means
1 gallon of C-Cide and 3 gallons of water.”
For quickest results, apply early in the morning.
New York State Parks Department is enthusiastic about its
completed trials of C-Cide. Caleb Smith State Park Preserve,
Two complementary gallons of C-Cide were delivered to the
Sedona Public Works Department on
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Suggestions for Creating a Successful Herbicide-Free
Weed Control Program
http://www.geocities.com/sedonasprayfree/SuggestionsForNon-ToxicWeedControlProgram.htm
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