by Terry Thompson (Bega Valley Shire Council Vegetation Management Team) and Ali Rodway (FSCCMN)
Winter is a great time to catch up on some weed control work that you might be too busy to get to in the warmer months when everything is growing fast. A few jobs now can give you a great headstart leading into spring.
Serrated tussock
African lovegrass and Serrated tussock can be controlled now. They are bleached by frost in winter so look out for their blonde or golden yellow leaves. To avoid confusion with other similar looking native grasses, check this information sheet http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Details/123
Small infestations can be chipped out and turned upside down to cover the bare ground, as bare, disturbed ground can encourage seed germination. Seed heads of Serrated tussock will already have detached from their tussocks in autumn, but African lovegrass seed heads may need to be cut off and removed before chipping.
Larger infestations can be controlled using careful, targeted spot-spraying of tussocks with flupropanate. Its residual action in the soil prevents or limits the growth of emerging seedlings.
With all the recent rain, now is a good time to plant a dense windbreak of shrubs and trees that can help stop the spread of Serrated tussock into your property. Seed heads are primarily dispersed by wind, sometimes travelling up to 10km from their source.
Another weed to control now is lantana which can be hand pulled when small or cut and painted with neat glyphosate when plants are larger.
Scotch broom
Scotch or English Broome is about to burst into bright yellow flower, making it easy to see and a good time to control before it sets seed. It has been found fairly close to urban areas around the southern part of the Bega Valley Shire including Eden, Merimbula and Pambula.
For Broom control, small plants can be hand pulled or grubbed when the ground is soft. Larger shrubs should be cut close to ground level and the stumps painted with herbicide. Dense thickets can be slashed with a brushcutter and regrowth sprayed with herbicide. Revegetation of an area with native plants will provide cover for bare ground and help prevent reinfestation.
Capeweed
Whilst you’re out walking on your property, keep your eye out for other autumn/winter germinating weeds, especially following all the recent rain. Some can be easily hand pulled or chipped out including Fireweed and Paterson’s curse. Capeweed can also be hand pulled when small or may require digging with a fork to remove as much of the root system as possible.
For more information on identifying and controlling any of these weeds, contact BVSC’s Vegetation Management Team on 6499 2222.
