Spring Cutting to Reduce Weed Population

Weeds

• "One man's junk is another man's treasure" is a common idiom that can also be applied to weeds -- "one man's weed is another man's valued plant." Take fireweed as an example. The New South Wales Government website describes it as an opportunistic and highly invasive weed. The Government of Manitoba's website describes fireweed as a flowering perennial used by North American First Nations people for food, as a tobacco substitute and as a poultice to draw out infection. One definition has negative connotations, the other does not. Defining "weeds" then is really in the eye of the beholder. Basically, if a plant interferes with human activity and grows where it's not wanted, it's a weed.

Reproduction of Weeds

• Both annual and perennial weeds reproduce when they go to seed, but perennials also reproduce from their root systems -- a double threat. Spring cutting before seeding helps to control the weeds, but not for couch grass and khaki weed which actually thrive with regular cutting. Cutting primarily helps prevent reproduction of erect-heading weeds, such as thistle.

Thistle

• Thistle has the potential to spread fast. Thistle seeds itself three days after blooming and after nine days, 73 percent of the seeds may be viable, according to the Government of British Columbia's website. Spring cutting right before blooming reduces the risk of spreading because the food supply in the roots is at its lowest level with the supply instead directed at blooming. Earlier spring cutting is particularly effective for thistle growing in high water table areas with restricted root growth. Cutting stresses these plants, preventing seed formation.

Height of Cutting

• Cut weeds as close to the ground as possible with a mower, preferably before they produce seed. To fully exhaust the food supply in the roots, cut the weeds several times. Use a mower blade attachment for a tractor, a riding lawn mower or a push mower for cutting.

Integrated Weed Management

• Spring cutting alone is insufficient to manage weeds. Make spring cutting part of an integrated scheme. Physically disrupt the growth of the weeds by tilling, hoeing or pulling the weeds by hand. Promote the growth of desirable plants through seeding. Destroy the weed seeds by burning the area. Put mulch or black plastic over the weeded area to choke out the weeds. These methods also kill desirable plants so only use them where appropriate.