Galinsoga, commonly known as American grass, has long been a headache for gardeners.
This aggressive weed from the Asteraceae family can take over an entire plot in one season, suppressing cultivated plants.
Its small white flowers, seemingly harmless, produce up to 300 thousand seeds that remain viable in the soil for more than ten years.
The weed's root system is resilient, and chemical control agents are often ineffective, damaging soil fertility.
However, a combination of traditional techniques and innovative solutions allows us to win this fight.
The key condition in combating galinsog is the timeliness of action. Weeding must be carried out before the weed blooms, which occurs 4-6 weeks after the emergence of shoots.
A thick layer of organic mulch made from sawdust, straw or mown grass, 5-7 cm thick, blocks the light from reaching the seeds, preventing their germination. An alternative is black non-woven material, which is used to cover the beds.
Sowing green manure crops - mustard, phacelia or rye - after the main harvest creates a natural barrier to galinsoga.
Additional protection is provided by repellent flowers: marigolds, calendula and nasturtium, planted around the perimeter of the beds.
Autumn digging of the soil with a bayonet of a shovel seals the seeds of the American in the deep layers of soil, depriving them of the chance to germinate in the spring. At the beginning of the season, the soil is only loosened superficially, no deeper than 5 cm, so as not to raise the "dormant" seeds.
Early planting of crops allows them to get stronger before the appearance of weeds, which become active in warm weather.
The depletion method involves provocative soil treatments: after harvesting
For spot control of the American grass, home remedies are used. A solution of a liter of water, a tablespoon of vinegar and a few drops of liquid soap is sprayed in sunny weather, causing leaf burns. The treatment is repeated weekly until the weed completely disappears.
It is important to remember: one-time measures will not bring results, whereas annual adherence to the strategy turns even the most neglected area into a model of well-groomed condition.
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya