Weeds

Varieties of weeds: their description and photos. Measures to prevent the spread of weeds. Useful weeds.

The main care of the garden, lawn, along with watering and fertilizing, includes the removal of weeds. Methods of dealing with them differ depending on their varieties, species characteristics, and also habitats. Consider in more detail the most common types of weeds, methods of controlling them, as well as measures to prevent their spread.

Weeds are not only harm

We are accustomed to refer to weeds as wild plants inhabiting areas intended for the cultivation of cultural "representatives" by us. The fight against these uninvited "guests" continues, as a rule, the whole season, taking a lot of time and effort. And it seems that you already know every "enemy in the face", but no, every season there is something new. And, no wonder, because the number of only known weeds is in the thousands. At the same time, there are almost a hundred poisonous and dangerous ones.

Despite all the work and efforts, it is unlikely that it will be possible to finally remove the weeds, since the ways in which they appear on our plots are different and we cannot always influence them.

The seeds of some weed grasses are already present in the soil, waiting for optimal conditions for their appearance.

Poorly rotted compost applied to the soil can also be a source of such seeds. They can also get into the ground with poor quality seed. And also their "carriers" are the wind, animals, and we ourselves, bringing seeds on the soles with soil that has got into them.

Everyone knows about the harm caused by weeds. This suppression of the growth and development of cultivated plants, the release of harmful substances into the soil, drawing out moisture and nutrition from the soil, which are necessary for plants, actively forming a green mass, create a shadow for the newly emerged seedlings.

But the fact that weeds can be useful is probably known only to agricultural technicians. In their opinion, weeds with powerful roots that go deep into the depths contribute to loosening the soil. Those weeds that draw out useful substances located at a considerable depth, where the roots of cultivated plants cannot reach, can subsequently become an excellent fertilizer.

Weed varieties

Weeds are generally classified according to the following characteristics, including:

- life cycle;

- breeding options;

- ways to get food;

Depending on the growing season, weeds are divided into minors, the full life cycle of which ranges from several weeks to several months and perennial.

The first type is characterized by a seed method of reproduction, these include:

ephemera - very short life cycle;

spring - the growing season usually lasts one season;

winter crops - whose life cycle includes overwintering;

biennial - the growing season lasts two years.

Perennials can "live" in the same place for more than one year. After the seeds ripen, their aerial part dies, however, the roots do not stop developing and the next season they again stimulate the formation of green mass. Reproduction of perennial weeds occurs both by seeds and vegetatively.

The ways of organizing the feeding of weeds are also different.

The most common non-parasitic weeds that develop and feed on their own, independent of others.

Semi-parasitic plants have a photosystem and can convert light energy into organic nutrients, but they are not averse to taking away some of the nutrition from other plants, sticking to their roots or aerial parts. Such weeds include, for example, cog, mariannik, belt flower, mytnik.

Well, the type of parasitic weeds speaks for itself. The nutrition of these weeds is possible only thanks to other plants, which often turn out to be garden crops, to the root or aerial parts of which they attach. Such weeds are propagated by seeds. Representatives of this species are such weeds as broomrape, linseed or clover.

Weed grasses at their summer cottage: description and photo

Creeping wheatgrass is a perennial plant found everywhere; it grows in fields, along roads, and lives in gardens and vegetable gardens. The weed has long, very branched rhizomes, lying at a depth of 5-15 cm. The stem of the wheatgrass is erect, reaching a height of 40-150 cm. The leaves are also quite long, up to 15-40 cm. This weed is extremely resistant to any weather conditions, absolutely not whimsical to the type of soil. Therefore, it grows very quickly in its habitat, filling the entire space. This weed must be weed out or otherwise disposed of, especially in areas where you are going to plant potatoes. On the lawn, wheatgrass, over time, can completely displace the grass, occupying its entire area.

In addition, wheatgrass is very depleting of the soil, drawing nutrients from it. And for the formation of seeds, the weed requires three times more moisture than other plants. Having branched roots, it easily draws water from the soil, depriving other plants of moisture, thereby slowing down their growth and development.

Field bindweed is also a perennial weed. It is especially annoying that it entangles the stems of other plants rather tightly. Only one loach can entangle crops on an area of ​​at least 2 square meters. The stem of the loach is long and strong enough, therefore, it will take a lot of time and patience to "free" a plant, for example, a berry bush, from it. And it is very difficult to completely remove this weed, since the loach has a branched root system that goes into the ground for several meters. When the aerial part is removed, the roots will form shoots over and over again.

Garden purslane is an annual plant that has a thick fleshy stem and the same leaves. Rather, it can be attributed to ground cover. Long stems, develop quickly enough and in a short time can cover a small area. At the same time, the weed is pulled out quite easily, its root system is slightly buried. It is important not to miss the moment when the seed capsule bursts. Otherwise, next season, in the place where purslane grew in summer, you will receive a real carpet of the smallest shoots.

It should be noted that purslane, since the time of Hippocrates, has been used as a medicinal plant. Our ancestors believed that its seeds help cleanse the body, and the leaves have wound healing, anti-toxic properties, help with liver and kidney diseases, vitamin deficiency.

In addition, on the territory of the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Mediterranean, purslane is used for culinary purposes, in the preparation of salads, soups, seasonings, and even as a substitute for capers.

Woodlouse is the most ephemeral. By the way, the botanical name of this plant is medium starweed, and woodlice, as well as canary grass, hernia, woodlice, heart grass, is its popular name. Woodlouse, despite the short growing season, manages to deliver a lot of trouble. One plant gives about 15 seeds, which winter well and spring together in a solid carpet in spring. In general, the germination of woodlice seeds lasts for 2-5 years.Since the leaves of the plant are small and watery, they simply break off during weeding, and the roots remain in the ground and, after a while, woodlice shoots appear again.

Woodlice leaves are rich in carotene and ascorbic acid, so the herb is often given to pets and poultry.

And in the old days there was a popular omen - if a starfish does not open its flowers in the morning and keeps them closed all day, expect rain.

Shiritsa thrown back (Amaranth) is an annual herbaceous weed. The plant is quite aggressive, one of the first to appear on wastelands, abandoned agricultural lands. The weed propagates by seeds, one plant can give up to 5000 seeds, keeping their germination for 5 - 40 years. The stem is straight, pubescent, growing to a height of one and a half meters. Leaves are ovoid, flowers are collected in cylindrical inflorescences. Blooms from June to August.

Herbaceous common is an annual weed that grows almost everywhere, including littering vegetable plantings. If spring and early summer are rainy, the barnyard can drown out the emergence of young plants. The stem reaches a height of more than a meter, the leaves are glabrous, sharp-rough. The inflorescence is paniculate. The plant blooms from July to September.

The tenacious bedstraw (Velcro, scratcher, claw) is an early annual herb. It got its name from the ability of stems and leaves to cling to clothing. The weed has a taproot, pointed leaves planted with small hooked thorns. The plant grows quickly in fertile, calcareous soils, reaching more than a meter in height. Bedstraw, as noted, especially infests flax crops.

The plant is used in folk medicine. It is believed that preparations containing bedstraw have anti-inflammatory, blood-purifying, and analgesic effects.

Shepherd's purse is an annual wintering weed that blooms throughout the season. Over the summer, the plant gives tens of thousands of seeds that remain viable for a very long time, so this weed is found everywhere. Plant height is 20-40 cm, root is thin, fusiform. The weed is easily pulled out.

The aerial part of the plant is used as a homeopathic remedy. The herb is harvested in June-July, before the fruit appears.

Yarutka field (cash, toad grass, klopnik) is an annual weed plant, 10-50 cm high, blooming from spring to autumn, giving more than one generation of seeds. The weed is very widespread, it grows in the territory from Western Siberia to the Far East. Interestingly, Yarut seeds contain sinigrin, which has a garlic smell, so milk from cows that were fed feed with an admixture of Yarut seeds can acquire a garlic smell.

Pink sow thistle (field thistle) is a perennial herbaceous weed, very difficult to remove. The plant has a strong stem root extending several meters into the soil. Despite the rather high stem, it breaks off quite easily, so it is practically impossible to pull out the weed from the root, and after a short time, sow thistle sprouts appear on the surface again. The plant reproduces vegetatively and in a short time is able to displace cultivated plants from the field.

Weeds growing on lawns: description and photo

Bluegrass is a perennial, less often an annual weed. At the very beginning of the growing season, the plant is practically invisible, however, at the time of flowering, the bluegrass becomes very noticeable, standing out on the lawn with ugly spots. The weed grows well on compacted soil, sometimes forming rather dense turf. If you take action in time, bluegrass will not bother you with its appearance for a long time.

In general, bluegrass is a good grazing forage plant and some of its species have already been introduced into cultivation.

It is almost impossible to avoid settling the lawn with a dandelion, its numerous pubescent achenes are easily carried by the wind. This is a very malicious weed plant, which is unlikely to be eliminated mechanically. And when using herbicides, the treatment will have to be done more than once. Dandelion has a high ability to recover quickly. However, during the period of budding, as well as flowering, this ability is suppressed. It was at this time that experts consider it effective to treat a clogged area with a cutting garden tool.

Buttercup creeping is a perennial weed with an ascending or creeping stem reaching 1 meter in length. Reproduction occurs vegetatively, as well as by seeds. The grass feels good in waterlogged and poorly lit areas.

Moss on the lawn is a kind of indicator, indicating poor soil, low nutrient content and high soil acidity. If you do not start taking action in a timely manner, the moss will completely displace the lawn grass, and in the future you will get a swampy area, since the appearance of moss in itself indicates an increased soil moisture. To prevent the spread of mosses, the site needs to be drained from time to time. Drainage grooves can also be made.

Plantain is a perennial weed that often appears in very compacted soil, as well as in areas with stagnant moisture. The plant is well removed with a garden tool - a garden fork. And in the case of a strong weed spread, it is recommended to use special herbicides used on lawns.

Veronica filamentous - both a perennial and an annual weed plant. It grows well in the shade, and also spreads quickly on moist soil containing a large amount of useful substances. Stems are thin, branched, but rather weak, growing up to 10 - 30 cm in length. The weed propagates vegetatively.

Clover is a perennial weed especially common on lawns and is a hassle. The height of the plant is 20 - 50 cm, the root system is fibrous, the leaves are trifoliate, ovoid. The appearance of clover most often indicates a low level of nitrogen in the soil. In addition, the likelihood of its spread is high in the case of the introduction of a large amount of potassium - phosphorus fertilizers in the spring.

White Mary is a rather malicious juvenile spring weed. The plant has a powerful root system capable of extracting moisture from the soil in large quantities. It is recommended to remove the weed before flowering begins, since it can produce more than one hundred thousand seeds.

It should be noted that this plant also has an economic purpose, since its green part is quite suitable for livestock feed.

Common oxalis (cuckoo clover hare cabbage) is a perennial weed plant, reaching a height of 5-12 cm, has a thin, creeping rhizome. The weed is distinguished by resistance to herbicides, therefore, experts recommend weeding the areas where oxalis is found, pulling out the weed by the root if possible.

Why weeds are useful

Among the weeds - not all pests, sometimes useful herbs can be found in your garden or garden beds.

Blue cornflower is used as a medicinal raw material. It is often included in herbal preparations used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic action. Flowers are used in infusions and teas, as a mild diuretic and choleretic agent. Dry inflorescences of the plant are sometimes used as a dye in cooking.

Meadow clover is a valuable honey plant. The honey obtained from the crops of clover belongs to the best varieties and is not candied for a long time. Vitamin concentrates are obtained from clover leaves.In addition, it is believed that the plant has antiseptic and inflammatory effects, and is also used as the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Young nettles are a real spring gift from nature. The plant contains a huge amount of vitamin C, therefore, nettle during this period is used in the preparation of soups, salads. Decoctions of the plant help to improve metabolism.

The field horsetail has found application not only in folk medicine, but also in scientific medicine. Infusions of the plant are used as a diuretic for edema, as well as a hemostatic, wound healing and general tonic. Horsetail extract is a part of the drug prescribed for urolithiasis. In addition, bathing with this herb will help relieve rheumatic pains.

Bird knotweed is widely used in various medicinal preparations, due to the high content of useful substances in it. Plant preparations are used for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, stomach ulcers and diseases of the duodenum. Topically used for various skin diseases, as well as for the treatment of wounds, ulcers and bruises.

Weed Prevention Measures

It is much easier to deal with weeds when they are present in the summer cottage in small quantities. And for this it is necessary to take measures aimed at preventing their spread.

For example, in order to prevent the appearance of weeds on the lawn, experts advise adhering to just a few recommendations.

So, in order to avoid the rapid regrowth of the lawn grass, some cut the lawn very short. However, it is best to mow the lawn little by little, but regularly.

The formation of bald patches on the lawn must not be allowed, since they will immediately be occupied by weeds, and for this you should water regularly and in a timely manner.

feed the grass. By the way, the application of fertilizers will also contribute to the strengthening of the grass cover, which will be much more difficult to displace the weeds.

Raking the lawn will help prevent creeping and creeping weeds.

Whenever possible, it is best to remove any weeds immediately, without allowing them to take root and produce seeds.

Measures to prevent the spread of weeds in the garden are also quite simple.

It is necessary to determine on the site one place where you will carry the remnants of the removed, weeded weeds.

In the fall, when digging the earth, you should not be zealous with breaking earth clods. Thus, the roots of weeds will remain on the surface, which will freeze over the winter. In the spring, when digging up the site, you should remove as much as possible all the remnants of the roots of weeds.