By Kathy Sullivan, Communications Director
This is the time of year we start seeing "Curly Dock", a perennial (comes back every year) invasive weed that can be very difficult to get rid of if you don't act early. It has a very deep root and cannot be effectively removed by manually pulling.
It generally flowers from June to October. A large, mature curly dock can produce up to 40,000 seeds per year. The seeds are shed continuously from late summer through the winter. Seeds are capable of surviving in undisturbed soil for 50+ years and seed numbers in soil have been estimated at 5 million per acre. Young seedlings vary in color from entirely green to being red tinged in cooler months.
To remove, cut the plant at least 2 inches below the soil surface, and dispose of the cut plants by placing in trash (not compost pile). Curly dock seeds need light to germinate, so putting mulch over the cut stem of the plant prevents germination.
If you have an infestation of the plants or a large scale area of them, chemical control is typically most effective, although you could try pouring some salt onto the emerging plants and strong 15% vinegar on the plants as a non-toxic weed killer.
Interesting fact: Curly dock is used extensively in the treatment of chronic skin complaints such as psoriasis.
Great article with more details click here.
Information for this article was provided in part by community member Deb Cain, via Nextdoor.
It generally flowers from June to October. A large, mature curly dock can produce up to 40,000 seeds per year. The seeds are shed continuously from late summer through the winter. Seeds are capable of surviving in undisturbed soil for 50+ years and seed numbers in soil have been estimated at 5 million per acre. Young seedlings vary in color from entirely green to being red tinged in cooler months.
To remove, cut the plant at least 2 inches below the soil surface, and dispose of the cut plants by placing in trash (not compost pile). Curly dock seeds need light to germinate, so putting mulch over the cut stem of the plant prevents germination.
If you have an infestation of the plants or a large scale area of them, chemical control is typically most effective, although you could try pouring some salt onto the emerging plants and strong 15% vinegar on the plants as a non-toxic weed killer.
Interesting fact: Curly dock is used extensively in the treatment of chronic skin complaints such as psoriasis.
Great article with more details click here.
Information for this article was provided in part by community member Deb Cain, via Nextdoor.