04/04/2024 - Lawn Care, Organic Gardening

Crabgrass is a common weed that can quickly take over your lawn if left unchecked. In New England, where the climate is conducive to crabgrass growth, it's essential to use effective control methods. Fortunately, there are several natural ways to manage this pesky weed without resorting to chemical herbicides.

1. Maintain a healthy, thick lawn The best defense against crabgrass is a dense, healthy lawn. Mow your grass at the proper height (about 3 inches) to encourage deeper roots and shade the soil, making it harder for crabgrass seeds to germinate. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time to prevent stress on your lawn.

2. Overseed and fertilize Overseed your lawn in the fall with a grass seed mix appropriate for New England, such as a blend of perennial ryegrass, fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass. This will help fill in bare spots and crowd out crabgrass. Apply a natural, slow-release fertilizer in the fall and spring to promote strong grass growth.

3. Use corn gluten meal Corn gluten meal is a natural pre-emergent herbicide that prevents crabgrass seeds from germinating. Apply it in the early spring before crabgrass seeds start to sprout. Keep in mind that corn gluten meal will also prevent other grass seeds from germinating, so avoid using it if you plan to overseed. Like most natural herbicides and pesticides, corn gluten meal works slowly and is a long-term treatment.

4. Hand-pull young crabgrass If you spot young crabgrass plants in your lawn, remove them by hand before they have a chance to set seed. Make sure to pull out the entire plant, including the roots, to prevent regrowth.

5. Apply natural herbicides For larger crabgrass infestations, consider using natural herbicides like vinegar or boiling water. Be cautious when applying these treatments, as they can also harm desirable plants. Spot-treat the crabgrass and avoid spraying nearby grass or ornamental plants.

6. Improve soil health Crabgrass thrives in compacted, poorly draining soils. Improve your lawn's soil health by aerating it annually and adding organic matter, such as compost or leaf mulch. This will help your grass grow stronger and more resilient against weeds.

7. Plant a tree Crabgrass needs full sun to grow. Planting trees can create a more shady environment and eliminate this weed's chance of growing. Trees provide numerous other benefits as well.

By implementing these natural crabgrass control methods and maintaining a consistent lawn care routine, you can keep your New England lawn looking its best without relying on chemical herbicides. Remember, a healthy, well-maintained lawn is the most effective way to prevent crabgrass and other weeds from taking over.

04/01/2024 - Lawn Care, Organic Gardening

Hairy Bittercress

We have seen a lot of these weeds in our Rhode Island gardens and lawns this spring.

Cardamine hirsuta, also known as hairy bittercress, is a small, annual or biennial weed native to Europe and Asia, but it has spread to many other parts of the world, including North America. It is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Key characteristics include:

Leaves: Hairy bittercress has a basal rosette of pinnately compound leaves with rounded leaflets. The leaves are alternate on the stem and have a slightly hairy appearance. Stems: The weed has slender, erect stems that grow up to 20 cm tall. The stems are usually hairless and may be branched. Flowers: Small, white, four-petaled flowers develop in clusters at the top of the stems. Each flower is about 3-5 mm in diameter. Fruit: The plant produces slender, elongated seed pods called siliques, which are about 2-3 cm long. When mature, these pods split open explosively, dispersing the seeds over a wide area. Seeds: The seeds are small, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown in color. Growth habit: Hairy bittercress is a cool-season weed that germinates in the fall or early spring, flowers in the spring, and sets seed before dying off in the summer heat.

This weed is commonly found in moist, disturbed soils in gardens, lawns, and along paths or sidewalks. It can be a nuisance due to its rapid growth and prolific seed production, which allows it to spread quickly and outcompete desirable plants.

Like many weeds hairy bittercress has some value.

Hairy bittercress is edible and is sometimes considered a wild edible green. The leaves, stems, and flowers have a peppery, mustard-like flavor similar to watercress, which is a close relative. The plant is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like potassium and calcium.

Here are some ways to use hairy bittercress in cooking:

Salads: The young leaves and stems can be added to salads for a peppery flavor. Pesto: Blend the leaves with garlic, nuts, cheese, and olive oil to make a flavorful pesto. Soups: Add the leaves to soups or stews for a peppery kick. Sandwiches: Use the leaves as a garnish or green in sandwiches. Stir-fries: Toss the leaves and stems into stir-fries for added flavor and nutrients.

However, it is essential to keep the following precautions in mind:

Proper identification: Ensure that you have correctly identified the plant as hairy bittercress before consuming it, as some wild plants may be toxic. Pesticides: Avoid eating hairy bittercress from areas that may have been treated with herbicides or pesticides. Moderation: While edible, consume hairy bittercress in moderation, as eating large quantities of any wild plant may cause digestive issues for some people. Allergies: If you have allergies to other members of the mustard family, such as broccoli or cabbage, you may also be sensitive to hairy bittercress.

Natural Control Methods

Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips or straw, around desired plants. This will suppress weed growth and prevent bittercress seeds from reaching the soil and germinating. Hand weeding: Regularly pull out hairy bittercress plants by hand, ensuring that you remove the entire root system to prevent regrowth. This is most effective when the plants are small and before they set seed. Proper lawn maintenance: Mow your lawn regularly and at the proper height to prevent bittercress from establishing and spreading. A dense, healthy lawn will also outcompete weeds. Soil solarization: Cover the affected area with a clear plastic sheet during the hottest part of the summer, which will heat the soil and kill weed seeds. Planting ground covers: Use dense ground covers in garden beds to shade the soil and prevent bittercress from growing. Corn gluten meal: This natural pre-emergent herbicide can be applied to lawns and gardens to prevent bittercress seeds from germinating.

Remember, persistence is key when controlling hairy bittercress, as it produces numerous seeds that can remain viable in the soil for several years.

Give Atlantic a call to help control this weed in your landscape.

11/05/2017 - Food Forest, Grow Your Own Food, Organic Gardening, Permaculture, Vegetable Garden

This season we turned a quarter acre of unused lawn into a permaculture style garden. A layout was created using a key-hole design style. This key-hole style maximizes the planting area while providing easy access to vegetables and creating different rooms within the garden. The existing lawn was stripped and lots of compost was amended to the soil. The compost provides nutrients to the plants, helps hold moisture and creates a much stronger soil composition. Plants were planted over the course of a few weeks. Many of the vegetables were grown from seeds and started indoors. Fruit trees were added to create shelter for plants that like a little shade. Most of the plants we chose were perennial species, which minimizes the future spring planting work. Some of the perennial plants we included were Apple, Pear, Persimmon, Cherry, Fig, Plum, Blueberry, Raspberry, Grape, Rosemary, Horseradish, Strawberry, Hops, Thyme, Sage and more. We also planted plenty of common annual vegetables, including Tomato, Pepper, Sunflower, Onion, Beet, Carrot, Basil, Parsley and many others. Other plants were included to provide shelter, wind blocks, bird and beneficial insect attractants, and aesthetic value. A deer fence was installed using cedar posts we gathered from our job sites. The cedar was also used to create a grape arbor and the gates.

The garden produced a lot of food within its first season. We are looking forward to much more as plants get more established. Next season we plan to add more of your common vegetables, especially Heirloom Tomatoes. We plan on incorporating bees and chickens in the upcoming years. Birds can be very beneficial to a garden in terms of insect control and fertilizer. We did not use any synthetic fertilizer or chemical pest control products. We used wood chips to mulch the garden areas which helped conserve moisture and keep the weeds in control. We hope to use this garden as a test bed and example of what other people can do with their back yards. Call Atlantic today to see how we can design, install and maintain a permaculture garden in your yard.