Question:
Last fall, I bought and scattered several packages of wildflower seeds. When I sowed them, I wasn't paying attention, so the seeds blew all over the place. Now, they’re growing in all the wrong areas. How can I get rid of them in ground cover, or at least stop more from sprouting? They’re mostly broadleaf wildflowers.Answer:
- In ground covers, there are no selective herbicides to control actively growing broadleaf weeds. The safest, though most labor-intensive, method is to remove them manually.
- For grassy weeds, you could use Grass Getter or Grass-B-Gon, which are available area-wide.
- If some unwanted wildflowers are growing in bare spots, you can spot-treat these areas with a selective herbicide. Many options are available, including organic solutions. The nursery professional at your favorite garden center can recommend one.
- Wildflower mixes contain both annual and perennial varieties, so some unwanted plants will die out naturally. To prevent them from returning, apply Monterey Weed Impede in the fall. Impede is a pre-emergent herbicide that prevents weed seeds from germinating.
- Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied to rooted plants without harming them, then watered into the ground to create a chemical barrier that prevents seed germination.
- If the area isn’t under irrigation, I would delay applying the herbicide until just before the first major rainstorm of the season. There’s no problem using these products in November, as the chemical barrier remains effective all winter as long as you don’t cultivate the area.
- t’s too late to apply Monterey Weed Impede now since the seeds have already sprouted. While there’s not much you can do today, I believe you can gradually eliminate the problem with patience.
Question:
We would like to raise the soil level by about one foot around four very old and beautifully blooming Wisterias. Our first choice is to bury each plant. Is this possible? Our second option is to dig up the plants and replant them. The last option is to install plant wells around each plant. What would you suggest?Answer:
- Of the three options, the least desirable is to bury the plants by raising the soil level. In fact, this is not recommended at all, as it is a sure way to kill them.
- The Wisterias could be transplanted to a new location, but considering their age, this may not be practical.
- I believe the most effective solution is to build permanent plant wells around each plant.
- They should extend from the trunk beyond the drip line, where most roots are located. You can use various materials such as railroad ties, concrete blocks, or moss rocks to hold back the soil.