Plan Ahead: Know What to Do to Limit Invasive Plants this Spring

Original story: Melinda Myers

Invasive plants can escape the boundaries of our landscape, moving into natural spaces and waterways. They outcompete and displace native plants, degrading natural habitats, increasing the risk of soil erosion, negatively impacting water quality, and so much more.

Invasive plants, like this garlic mustard, outcompete and displace native plants, degrade natural habitats, and much more.

You know, but others may not be aware or understand the importance of managing invasive plants. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) has declared June as Invasive Species Action Awareness Month to help boost the awareness of this threat and enlist others to make a difference. You can help by sharing information about invasive species as you post on social media, visit gardens, and present gardening information throughout the year and beyond.

While we start to plan and plant our gardens, be sure you know what you’re planting. The WI DNR’s website https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives is a great resource to consult before purchasing plants. Some online retailers are not aware of the regulations in WI or choose not to follow them. Purchasing plants from reputable and local retailers whenever possible helps ensure you’re not accidentally planting problematic plants in our region.

The website above lists the plants prohibited for sale, possession, and introduction into our state. These prohibited plants are rare or not yet present in the state, but do have the potential to cause harm. Those listed as restricted plants are already here and established, so elimination is not practical, but we can stop adding more to our gardens and landscapes. These plants can’t be sold or moved into the state, but possession is allowed.

You can select plants best suited to our growing conditions and keeping them healthy. Vigorous plants, including native species, are better able to outcompete invasive plants.

Have a plan for how to dispose of any invasive plant debris properly that you may find this year. Composting is usually not the best option. Most of us do not create compost piles that reach high enough temperatures to kill these, weeds, insects and disease. To prevent them from invading natural areas it is best to bag and dispose of invasive plants in the garbage. Always check with your local municipality for recommendations before adding these to the trash.

But what if you find invasive plants on your property?

Mowing or repeatedly cutting back can slow the spread and, in some cases, eliminate the infestation of some invasive plants. Timing and persistence are key to success. Smothering, by covering the infestation with black weed barrier for at least one or two seasons, is another solution that may help manage some invasive plant infestations.

If you opt for chemical control, remind them to read and follow label directions. Be sure to verify the product you select is labeled for this purpose, application rates and timing are followed, and wear the recommended safety equipment.

If you discover invasive plant populations in public spaces and waterways, please report them to the WI DNR https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/report.  Sharing this information with the WI DNR makes them aware of possible new infestations and allows them to explore options for containing the spread.

You can find even more resources and information in my Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants handout at: https://www.melindamyers.com/application/files/5917/3989/1563/STRATEGIES_FOR_MANAGING_INVASIVE_PLANTS.pdf. The recording of the accompanying webinar, sponsored by and co-hosted with WI-DNR and University of WI Madison Natural Resources Institute-Aquatic Invasive Species Program, is still available to watch. Visit https://www.melindamyers.com/about-melinda/on-demand-webinars and scroll down to the Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants webinar recording.

Thanks for all your help in being part of the solution. Together, we can make a difference!