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by Rett Davis | |
Gardening Q&A by Rett Davis appears in
Alamance County's daily newspaper, The Times-News,
every Sunday in the Accent section. Each week's installment is
posted to this
website, beginning with January of this year. Scroll to the bottom of
this page to navigate to other Gardening Q&As. Please contact
Rett via e-mail with questions
or
comments in regard to this column.
Question:
I read an article written by the North Carolina Botanical
Gardens on a grass called Japanese stilt grass. I think this is what I
have that is taking over some areas on my property. The article says it
can be pulled up easily. However because I have so much of it, there is
no way I can do this. Are there any chemical controls?
Answer:
Japanese stilt grass or Microstegium vimineum is a very
invasive exotic weed that is prevalent here in Alamance County. It is
rapidly spreading especially in woodlands and in low lying areas. It is
also appearing in lawns and gardens. Biologists are very concerned
about the spread of this plant because it does alter the woodland
environment by displacing native plants, reducing earthworms in the
soil, and increasing the soil pH. It can be easily pulled up, but after
several years of growth, I would prefer the use of herbicides as the
best method of control. It can be effectively controlled by spraying
with Roundup now. Roundup is a non selective herbicide therefore be
very careful not to spray it on desirable vegetation. Another good
herbicide is Poast. Poast will only kill grasses and will not harm
broadleaf plants. Both products should be used now before this plant
flowers and reseeds for next year. This weed is in the grass family.
It will dieback in the winter only to return again from seed in the
spring. Microstegium will grow as tall as 3 feet. You can bring plant
samples to the County Extension office, 209 North Graham Hopedale Road
in Burlington for identification.
Question:
I have been told so many conflicting stories about using mulch
around my house that I am not sure if I should use any at all. I hear
horror stories about how it draws termites and that some mulches produce
molds that can cover your house and rot wood. Is there any truth to
these stories?
Answer:
Mulch is anything that covers the soil to prevent weed seed
germination, moderate soil temperature, prevent soil erosion, and reduce
water evaporation from the soil. These are all good things for shrubs
and trees. Mulches can be pine needles, pine bark, hardwood bark,
ground up wood pallets, wood chips, sawdust, grass clippings, and
crushed stone or bricks. You can even get the ground wood pallets in
various colors. Will mulches increase your chances of getting
termites? Maybe yes and maybe no. Termites consume cellulose.
Cellulose is not found in great amounts in either hardwood bard or pine
bark nor pine needles. Bark is primarily made of lignin. However
cellulose is found in wood. Therefore mulches that are made up of wood
chips or ground up wood pallets could provide food for hungry termites.
That is why I do not recommend those mulches against the foundations of
homes. Use those mulches in natural areas or away from wooden
structures. But termites will crawl beneath all mulches to get to
untreated wood or homes where the chemical termite barrier is no longer
effective. All mulches by their nature provide a dark and damp
environment that will protect the termites as they search for food.
Termites will go under concrete to find a meal! As for the molds there
are two kinds that will appear and both are associated more with
hardwood mulches than any other. One is the yellow slime molds that
appear almost over night and last for only a day or two and dry up. It
is harmless to plants. The other is the artillery fungus that will
throw its tiny mold spores toward light surfaces. This mold will stick
to car finishes, windows, and house siding. They resemble small
freckles. They are hard to remove. Just a plain aggravation. The
advantages of all mulches outweigh their disadvantages. I always
recommend their use around landscape plantings. The choice of mulch is
usually based on aesthetics. People have different tastes. Regardless
of which mulch you use, do not pile the mulch up against the house.
Have it taper down the foundation edge to about 2 inches in depth. Have
your home inspected for termites especially if your last treatment was
over 6 years ago. Either do this annually or every two years. Most
termite treatments are reaching the end of their effectiveness in the
6-10 year range.
UPCOMING WORKSHOP
The North Carolina Forest Landowners Association is sponsoring a
educational meeting for landowners in the Alamance County area. The
topic is 'Integrating Best Management Practices for Wildlife'. The
meeting will be held at the Agricultural Building, 209 North Graham
Hopedale Rd. in Burlington on Tuesday, August 5th, at 7 pm. Anyone
interested in wildlife habitat management is welcome to attend. The
cost of the program is $15 per person. Come early for refreshments.
Contact the Cooperative Extension Service at 570-6740 for more
information.
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If you have any horticultural questions, please direct them to Rett Davis