Instead of leaving soil naked, coat it with cover crops
Grow "green manure" to keep soil from eroding, weeds from exploding and to add nutrients.
What should I be doing now for weed control?
Q: The straw mulch I used at the end of summer to suppress the weeds doesn't seem to be working. Should I till it and cover with plastic? black or clear? Is there something better. Or should I add more straw. I could probably bring some cardboard home from work. Is this a healthy option?
What kind of ground cover crop should I plant?
Q: I have a small garden plot that I have let go fallow over the summer, but would like to plant something to keep the weeds down until next year. Most of the cover crops I read about look a lot like the invasive weeds I'm always pulling! What should I plant that can be easily tilled into the soil for planting next spring?
Native groundcovers are great for home landscapes
Try native groundcovers for home landscapes.
Is there a "no mow" lawn in my future?
Q: My so-called lawn needs help -- it consists of clumps of grass with bare spots between, My small yard is completely fenced with a large apple tree shading much of it, so the grass gets at most 3 to 4 hours of sun a day. What do you think of "no mow" creeping red fescue? Would I have to have the existing grass rototilled, or could topsoil be brought in and the fescue planted (by seed?) in the bare spots to fill in over time as it grows?
How to Remove Poison Oak Plants and Treat a Rash
Poison oak plants contain a chemical that causes a severe rash. Learn how to spot a plant, safely remove, and clean your clothes, gear and skin afterward to prevent a rash.
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) – Silage Will Not Reduce the Toxin
Poison hemlock is one of the most poisonous of plants. Silage making has been used to reduce the concentrations of toxins in a variety of crops. Poison hemlock alkaloids are found in different concentrations depending on several factors that make it virtually impossible to predict how dangerous the plant is at any given time.
Tansy Ragwort
Tansy ragwort, an invasive weed that can harm certain types of livestock, is making a comeback in western Oregon. Find out how to control it and protect your animals.