Your site can turn into an ecological disaster zone if you do not recognize the green invaders in time.
Some plants disguise themselves as harmless flowers or useful crops, but their true goal is to take over the territory, poison the soil and leave you without a harvest.
First on the list of enemies is peppermint. Its aromatic leaves seem harmless, but underground there is a network of roots that spread for meters. They penetrate under the foundation, destroy paths and strangle the roots of neighboring plants.
It is almost impossible to dig up mint completely: even a tiny root cutting will produce new shoots. If you have already planted it, immediately fence the bed with slate dug in to a depth of 50 cm, or move the plant to a pot without a bottom.
The second aggressor is horseradish. Its leaves are used for pickling, but after a year it will turn into impassable thickets. Horseradish roots go two meters deep, and when you try to dig them up, they break and give new shoots.
To get rid of it, cut off the leaves and pour vinegar essence over the cuts. Cover the soil with a thick black film for the entire season - without light and air, the roots will die.
The third dangerous guest is Jerusalem artichoke. Its tubers are useful, but the plant reproduces at an insane rate. Even if you carefully harvested the crop, microscopic pieces will remain in the soil, which will sprout in the spring.
Jerusalem artichoke shades the beds, and its roots secrete substances that suppress other crops. Plant it only in barrels without a bottom or dig in metal sheets around the perimeter of the plot.
The fourth enemy is lupine. Its bright flowers attract bees, but the roots of this plant secrete alkaloids that make the soil unsuitable for vegetables. Lupine is especially dangerous in potato and tomato beds - it slows down their growth and reduces the yield.
If you notice lupine in your area, dig it up by the roots and sprinkle the hole with salt.
The fifth and most insidious aggressor is goutweed. Its seeds are carried by the wind, and its roots form an underground network that sucks moisture and nutrients from the soil.
Ground elder kills lawns, beds and even bushes. To destroy it, mow the leaves and cover the ground with a thick material: roofing felt, old carpet or film.
Leave the “covering” for a year - without light the plant will die.
Never add these weeds to your compost: their seeds remain viable for decades.
Check the area every week – young shoots are easier to remove before they become established. Remember: one missed plant can start a chain reaction, and then the fight will drag on for years.
Author: Kurchev Anton