NC State Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers of Buncombe County

weeds

Weed Solutions: What Can YOU Do About Kudzu?

Duane-Tate-Kudzu-2.0-Generic-CC-BY-2.0
Kudzu infestation in winter

You know Kudzu (Pueraria montana)—that vine that engulfs anything in its path with a shroud of green leaves? In winter those leaves brown up after frost, but the vines aren’t killed off by the cold. If you think this is only a problem for those caring for highway rights-of-way, be aware that Kudzu is finding new ways to expand its hold and may be growing on a property near you! Don’t worry, though, Kudzu is easiest to control when you literally nip it in the bud (or crown). And after killing frosts is a great time to start the process!

What is the scope of the problem?
Although kudzu was introduced to the United States in the 1800s and recognized as a common weed in the south in 1970, it is now spreading faster and further than

Photo by James Miller, USDA Forest Service
Kudzu infestation in summer

expected. Kudzu is not only a fast grower, adaptable to many environments, but it has amazing defenses against pests and diseases, as well as containing several allelochemicals—substances that can suppress seed germination as well as regrowth of native plants. More recently, the potential range of kudzu is increasing—in part due to climate change—especially in the Pacific northwest and the Great Lakes region.  It is very visible in Buncombe County, along I-40, many back roads, as well as on residential properties in densely populated areas.


How to control kudzu
The good news is there are many ways to control kudzu and they work best on new or small infestations.

Identification.
First, positively identify the plants—links below show photos of seedlings, leaves, flowers, seedpods, and seedlings.
     – Existing kudzu infestations spread rapidly into adjacent areas from root crowns.
     – New infestations may begin from a plant or a few plants that start from seed that matures during autumn months.
          – Seed pods contain only 3 to 10 seeds, and only a few are viable.
          – Viable seeds often germinate years later when the hard seed coat becomes water permeable so be sure to remove any seedpods you find in your landscape when you identify the plants!

Mechanical control.
     – Dig any seedlings or plants as soon as you see them. Don’t hesitate—kudzu can grow a foot a day under favorable conditions!
     – If you find established vines:
          – Cut the vines at the soil level to keep the top growth from climbing further.
          – Mow or cut back all new growth. This may take a concerted effort over months or years!
               – For large areas you may be able to borrow or rent goats and fencing to concentrate grazing on the vines.
               – Although you can dig and remove root crowns during any season—no need to remove the entire root—during the dormant season it is easier to find the root crowns and you can dig in cooler weather!       See the short video clip below for more details.

Herbicide Control.
There are several herbicides recommended for kudzu control in the North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual. It is important to follow the label! You will need to identify chemicals approved for use in NC, the recommended concentration, and the appropriate time for treatment—most chemicals are recommended for use when vines are actively growing—timing within the growing season may be more targeted, such as before or after flowering. Some chemicals are sprayed, which may be a concern when desirable plants may be at risk from chemical drift. Treating cut stumps of vines immediately after cutting the fresh vines is a technique that can minimize chemical drift and help kill the roots if the infestation is well-established. 

Removing Kudzu

Education
Kudzu is a formidable opponent—by sharing information about identifying and controlling this vine, you can help! If your neighborhood or locality is infested, stop the spread!


Article written by Debbie Green, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer.

For more information on identifying and controlling kudzu:

Details for identification:
Name that Plant: http://www.namethatplant.net/plantdetail.shtml?plant=1171
Weed Id – UMissouri: https://weedid.missouri.edu/weedinfo.cfm?weed_id=236
NCSU Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pueraria-montana/

Controlling kudzu in residential landscapes:
Conserving Carolina article – Get Rid of Kudzu: https://conservingcarolina.org/get-rid-of-kudzu/
Alabama Extension – Kudzu Control in Residential Areas: https://www.aces.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ANR-2168.REV_.Lg_.pd
Missouri DC – Kudzu Control: https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/kudzu-control
NC Cooperative Extension – Kudzu Invasive and Exotic: https://surry.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/09/kudzu-invasive-and-exotic/
Piedmont EMGs – Controlling Kudzu: https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/controlling-kudzu/
Cornell University Cooperative Extension- Kudzu: https://nyis.info/invasive_species/kudzu/

Additional Video:
Using Goats to Control Kudzu in NC:  https://youtu.be/1XtYE3E7pJw









What’s There to Like about Weeding? Top 10 Reasons.

Pulling weeds may be one of the most universally disliked garden chores.  But a recent survey of Buncombe County Extension Master Gardeners uncovered some good reasons to appreciate (if not actually like) the job.

But before we reveal these Top 10 reasons, why is weeding important?  Weeds not only make a garden look messy, they compete for water, nutrients, and light that your plants need.  Weeds can harbor insect and disease pests that may spread to cultivated flowers, shrubs, and vegetables.  And ignored, weeds multiply rapidly to overwhelm your garden and make any extraction session more and more difficult.

Buncombe County Extension Agent, Alison Arnold, shares tips to help you win the battle against weeds in this April 21, 2022, article published in Better Homes & Gardens, “7 of the Worst Weeding Mistakes That Make Gardening Much Harder,” by Rita Pelczar.  https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/weeding-mistakes-to-avoid/?did=779004-20220512&cmp=bhggetgrowing_051222&utm_campaign=bhg-get-growing_newsletter&utm_source=bhg.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=051222&cid=779004&mid=87090528438&lctg=39823821

And now, a countdown of 10 Reasons to like pulling weeds.

  1. EXERCISE. Believe it or not, I find pulling weeds to be good exercise!  Lunges and squats give my glutes a workout; hinging at the hips to bend over stretches my calves and hamstrings; and, navigating a steep slope while carefully stepping between plants improves my balance.
  1. AVOIDANCE. Weeding gets me out of the house while [fill in the blank] someone else cooks dinner!
  1. PERSONAL TIME. Weeding is my time to think and plan with no phone and no distractions.  It’s my personal, quiet time—just me and the singing birds.
  1. DISCOVERY. With my nose close to the ground, I discover emerging plants that are not weeds and become garden treasures.  Some of these volunteers that now thrive in my garden are native flame azaleas, downy rattlesnake plantain, blue-eyed grass, Solomon’s seal, and a ten-foot-tall American holly that I discovered when it was only a one-inch seedling.
  1. NEXT STEPS. The slow pace of weeding lets me identify other garden needs for my “to do” list–diseased plants, bad insects, future pruning or transplanting jobs.
  1. INTERACTIVE. Weeding lets me get up close and personal with my plants.  I find that I appreciate them more and am ready to tackle more weeds the next day.
  1. CARETAKING. I like knowing that all the water and nutrients that my garden needs will now be going to help the plants I love, and not the weeds.
  1. NATURE. I like to weed because it gives me quiet time in the sunshine when I can really listen to what is going on in the garden—bees humming, birds chirping, the wind blowing through the leaves. It’s a win-win to enjoy nature while tidying up the garden.
  1. ACCOMPLISHMENT. I have a feeling of accomplishment when the weeding’s done.  I’m a bit compulsive and this fills a need to tackle and complete a job.
  1. APPEARANCE. I especially like how nice everything looks after the weeding is done.  Weeding is like washing and putting away dishes and wiping down the counters.  It helps things look tidy and the things that really matter can shine and be seen.

Now that you’re feeling slightly more enthusiastic about weeding, do approach it wisely.  Tolerate some weedy growth as beneficial to the survival of pollinators, honeybees, and ultimately our food crops.  Flowering weeds, like clover, dandelion, henbit, and hairy fleabane, provide food sources for pollinators in early spring.  Protect bees and other pollinators by avoiding insecticides.  Reduce lawn size and opt for pollinator-friendly, native plants instead.  Designate a small area of your landscape where weeds like goldenrod, bee balm, Joe pye, and milkweed can flourish.  Be weed-wise for the bees.

Want to learn more about how to identify and effectively manage weeds in your garden?  Check out these resources:

From NC State Extension:

From other Extension services:

Thanks to the following Master Gardener volunteers for their weedy musings:  Carol Brown, Nancy Good, Catherine Pawlik, and Carol Anne Reynolds.  And also to our Extension Agent, Alison Arnold.

Article written by Beth Leonard, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer.

Weeds Overwhelming? How to Cope!

Warm, wet weather equals a wealth of weeds. Despite many of us being home more of the time this summer, we can’t seem to keep up with the weeds! Fortunately, there are weed scientists who can help!

 

 

Weeds compete with your vegetable garden crops


Why care about weeds?
Maybe you are hoping to just peacefully coexist with your weeds, but according to Kira Sims, a Ph. D. candidate and graduate teaching and research assistant in the North Carolina State University Horticultural Science program, weeds:

  • Compete for resources—such, as nutrients, space and sunlight—with more desirable plants.
  • Can reduce crop yields.
  • Adversely affect human health—some weeds such as ragweed and poison ivy can cause allergic reactions.
  • Alter ecosystems—weeds can crowd out native plants or even make soil less hospitable to natives through altering pH, for example.

What can you do about weeds? IWM!
Integrated Weed Management is “Science-based, socially acceptable, environmentally responsible and economically practical crop protection against pests” says Sims, using all of the tools in your toolbox!

What’s in the toolbox?
Sims advocates the PAMS approach:

  • Prevention tools include:
    • Using clean (weed-free) compost, mulch, seeds, topsoil, transplants.
    • Don’t let weeds reproduce—by setting seed, suckering and so on.
    • Water desirable plants not weeds.
    • Clean equipment that might transport weeds
    • Remember you and your pets can transport weed seeds!
  • Avoidance tools include:
    • Clearly define where you want to exclude weeds
    • Help your desirable plants outcompete the weeds by:
    • Choosing appropriate plants
    • Plant at the correct time
    • Fertilize appropriately
    • Rotate crops
  • Monitoring tools:
    • Scout for weeds regularly
    • Keep records of crops and the weeds that cause problems
    • Test soil to determine appropriate fertilization
  • Suppression tools for when you can’t prevent or avoid all weeds:
    • Reduce tilling—which brings up weed seeds
    • Use narrow row spacing to shade out weeds
    • Use cover crops and/or mulch over bare soil
    • Manage irrigation

                                    

                                          Article by Buncombe County Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers

For more information:

Weed publications from NCSU, including specific links on managing crabgrass, Japanese stiltgrass, and ragweed:

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/catalog/?keywords=weed-management

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us

N.C. Cooperative Extension
Buncombe County Center
49 Mount Carmel Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Helpline 828-255-5522

Events

Keep up with our events by subscribing to the blog or checking our Events Calendar.

Explore the Archives

Back to Top