I Need Some Space: Taming Invasive Plants

During my year as a permaculture intern in Ashland, Oregon, I was living in a tent in an outdoor community made up of RV’s, tiny homes, tents, and many other forms of outdoor living. My particular encampment was made up of fifteen people working for our organic farm, all sharing a sustainably-built outdoor kitchen and common area. When it came time to choose where to place my tent, the best available spot was full of half-dead Himalayan blackberries. I decided to take on the task, which would become three full days of hard work, of removing the blackberries from the selected area. I chopped all the branches down, pulled the shallow roots, dug and shoveled every bit of the core root systems out of the ground, and leveled out the remaining dry soil. It was very intense labor, but I laid out my tent and created a lovely outdoor abode for myself that I grew quite fond of throughout the summer. This is an example of the grueling but rewarding process of taming an invasive plant species.

Himalayan blackberry, Bermuda grass, dandelion, oxalis, ivy, wild fennel, and thistle are just some of the many invasive plant species we see here in California. You may notice them along hiking paths, in natural areas, or along highways. Many are beautiful to look at and even forage for culinary or medicinal use, however, you must take caution in incorporating these plants into your garden because they grow very fast and can easily take over an entire area in your yard. Invasive plant species are typically not native to the area they are growing in and reproduce rapidly, posing a potential threat to the surrounding ecosystem. Himalayan blackberry, as I have mentioned, is widely seen all over the Pacific Northwest and is extremely hard to get rid of. Even though we all enjoy a sizable berry harvest, Himalayan blackberries completely dominate hiking paths and have pushed out other native plant species.

Certain plant species considered invasive are not all that bad to have around, as long as there is continual maintenance implemented. Ivy is technically invasive, and yet, it looks beautiful cascading over walls and archways. Oxalis is edible and can be a nice addition to a garden, but since it spreads so quickly, it is best to have it growing in lawns or grassy areas so it does not overtake vegetable beds or ornamental areas. There may be some invasive species already living on your property that need to be trimmed back or eliminated, Bermuda grass I’m looking at you. Identifying these species is essential to mapping out your garden plan and ensuring that all your desired crops have ample space to grow.

If you have invasive species living on your property you would like to eliminate, it can be quite the tedious task to complete. Not only will you have to cut the entire plant down, but you will also have to spend significant time digging out and removing all the root systems so you lower the chances of them growing back. After you have removed all parts of the plant, make sure to dump the remains in your city compost bin and avoid using it in your home compost to reduce the risk of the plant reseeding in your garden. Although it might be a lot of physical labor, it will be worth it to clear out areas intended for edible or ornamental gardening.

Another quick tip on keeping invasive plants out of your property is carefully selecting mulches to utilize in your garden beds, for your paths, or ornamental spaces. On the Oregon farm, we once purchased a large amount of straw to use as a mulch for our crops during the high heat of the summer. Unfortunately, we discovered that the straw contained Bermuda grass seeds, which quickly spread through our vegetable beds and led to countless hours of weeding. This serves as a reminder to be mindful of the products and supplies you choose for your garden.

One invasive species you must be aware of is tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), a species originally from China that grows abundantly here in the states. Although it may look beautiful and have a lovely name, this deciduous tree is a major seed spreader and can completely overtake large areas via its seeds and root systems, leading it to kill many native plants in its wake. Its’ root systems can grow immensely long and stretch under the soil yards away from the tree itself. It is an issue in many states across America and if noticed on your property should be eliminated immediately. It may take a few separate visits from a tree removal service to remove it but it will be extremely beneficial to the long term health of your garden and soil.

Ultimately, not all invasive species should be gotten rid of but we must pay attention to the plants we see growing to maintain the health and viability of our surrounding environment. If you notice a plant species growing rapidly and overwhelming your garden, identify it, and determine whether or not you should remove it immediately. If it is a plant species you want to continue to maintain, take active measures in ensuring it stays tamed and trained in your garden.