There may be times when using herbicide to control invasive species is necessary. However, there are plenty of means and strategies that you can use to control invasive species naturally. These methods reduce or eliminate the risk of harming beneficial pollinators, other wildlife, as well as pets and humans.
- Soil solarization: This can be used as a method to prevent weeds, or killing existing weeds or turf for garden, landscape, or restoration projects. Lay landscape fabrics, or plastic sheeting over the area for at least one growing season. While this method takes some patience, it is not labor intensive.
- Mulching: Laying a layer of natural mulch at a minimum of 3” in depth not only prevents weeds but can kill existing weeds that are cut to ground level.
- Plant native low-growing ground covers between larger landscape plants for weed prevention; such as sedges (Carex), Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), and Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta).
- Remove seed heads from invasive plants and bag them to prevent spread.
- Repeated mowing or tilling: This method can be effective on annual or bi-annual invasives.
- Corn gluten: Can be used in place of a pre-emergent herbicide, and is especially useful in fighting crabgrass (Digitaria). However, use with caution as it can also kill desirable plants.
- Critical period cutting: This method has been shown to be effective on buckthorn but takes patience and can be labor-intensive. This method involves cutting buckthorn or other woody invasives at a 3-5’ height, and then repeatedly stripping and cutting of foliage and branches for several years afterward. More information can be found on the Friends of the Mississippi River website.