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Weeds
- What is a weed?
- How do weeds spread?
- Weed Control Techniques
- Climbers and Creepers
- Trees and Shrubs
- Grasses, Bulbs and Ground Covers
- Other Environmental Weeds in Monash
- Acknowledgements and Disclaimer
What is a weed?
Weeds are plants that invade and thrive in environments in which they do not naturally occur. These plants alter the natural balance in the local ecology and threaten biodiversity by competing with indigenous plants that are a valuable food source for native birds and fauna.
Declared noxious, weeds are plants that have been proclaimed under legislation, which requires the landholder to control or eradicate these weeds.
How do weeds spread?
Environmental weeds via seed, fruit or cuttings can be dispersed in many ways:- Natural mechanisms including wind, stormwater, birds, ants, animals and humans (with seed attached to faeces, fur, feathers, shoes and clothes).
- Artificial mechanisms such as vehicles, gardening equipment, dumping of garden waste or moving contaminated soil or mulch.
- Garden Escapees.
- Vegetative cultivation where weeds have runners, bulbs and tubers.
Weed Control Techniques
- Prevention (do not reuse or dump garden waste). Garden rubbish should be disposed of in the Green Waste Bin as this waste will be heat-treated and turned to compost.
Remove by hand (ensuring that whole plant, including roots, is removed).
Cut trunk / stem (as near to ground as possible) and paint with herbicide (immediately on cut surface).- Cut stems on aerial growth (to destroy climbing vines).
Drill (several hole in the trunk) and fill with herbicide.
Spot spray with herbicide (to minimise damage to non-targeted plants).
Dig out (ensuring that whole plant, including roots, is removed).- Always seek expert advice before using chemical control methods and proceed with caution.
For further information on weed identification, control measures and appropriate herbicides contact:
- Monash Council's Horticultural Section on 9518 3777.
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) Customer Service Centre on 13 6186.
- For advise on suitable replacement plants and species that are indigenous to the City of Monash, phone Monash Council's Horticultural Section on 9518 3777, or Kuranga Native Nursery on 9879 4076.
Reviewed: 8 May 2008
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