CULT:Weeds and Goats, for Carolyn

From: HIPSource@aol.com

In a message dated 98-11-04 14:29:46 EST, you write:

<< Most of my iris are double or triple rows in raised beds outlined in river
rock.  I scoot around on a kneeling pad to weed two raised beds at a time. I
am about half way through the task.  I have been concerned about the weeds on
the ground around the raised beds but am timid about using Round Up.Should I
get a goat (joke)  I appreciate any info you can offer. >>..

I like the way you have your beds set up, Carolyn. That sounds very efficient
and very pretty. River rocks are one of my favorite things in the world. They
look beautiful with irises. I like goats a lot, too, but I don't think you
want a goat. They eat plants and they stand up on raised things and they leave
Contributions.

You have two types of weed solutions: physical or chemical. Physical: you can
pull them, cultivate them out, mow them, or smother them with something. These
are generally considered ecologically more benign procedures than the chemical
means, but slower, more labor intensive and probably less effective in the
short term. In the long term I think they are very effective. 

Chemical herbicides, on the other hand, are controversial, and for good
reason. They are not all identical and you need to read the lables carefully.
Some, when used properly can be very efficient. Roundup is said to be
remarkably 'safe' when used correctly. It is said to bind with the soil
particles and not travel in the soil. I'm not sure this can be said for all
contact herbicides. But there is no question that all can travel in the air
when sprayed and some bizarre effects on irises have been reported when they
have been accidentally hit by the drift. If you decide to use a contact
herbicide I would be very careful which I used and how I used it. I would mow
the weeds down short and apply the absolute minimum with a paintbrush or
roller on a still day. And I would remember that the roots of bearded irises
can run very far, and that they often run close to the surface of the soil. 

Not seeing your beds I'm not sure how I myself would proceed, but I'd look on
it as a long term project with an eye toward minimizing the problem in the
course of time. I would probably hand weed out the big stuff, being careful
not to shake seeds all over the place, then I'd spot treat things like
wiregrass or really invasive perennial things with herbicide and a little
paintbrush, and then I'd probably just mow the rest of it down and see if that
was acceptable. For further control I would treat the whole area with a pre-
emergent germination inhibitor--assuming you are not trying to grow grass or
clover or something similar there--to keep more weed seeds from germinating.
You must ask yourself what you want in this place when the weeds are gone. I
might lay down some landscape fabric and cover the area with mulch or pine
tags or something similar. You don't want gravel since you scoot. 

When I made my decision about how weed-free the area actually had to be--or
appear to be--I would also think about where those weed seeds were coming
from.I would not commit myself to an ongoing loosing chemical battle with
these weeds. I myself have a spot in my yard which is weedy. There is a tree
above it which is a favored perch of the doves and the continually leave
chickwood seeds in their wake. I could drive myself mad trying to get on top
of that. I aim for detente.

Do let me make a pitch here for one of my favorite herbicides. I have
mentioned this  before here. It is for the ecologically concerned with a
smaller problem. Just kill the weeds with boiling water poured from a teapot.
Cut them off short and then soak the crowns. You may have to do this several
times and going back into the house to heat more is a bit of a bore but you
don't have to do it at all at once. It won't work on everything, but it works
pretty good on a lot of things. Always watch for those far-ranging iris roots.

You may want to check the Archives for heated discussions of the ethics of
herbicides in general, for recommendations and specifics on use of pre-
emergents, and for information on the effects of herbicides on irises
including reported color changes.

http://www.mallorn.com/lists/iris-l/

Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com



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