Native seed sown into areas dominated by invasive plants generally perform very poorly [1] and in many cases fail to establish entirely. In order to increase restoration success, perform weed management at least one season prior to seeding or replanting in order to kill existing plants and prevent existing plants from going to seed [2]. Initiating weed management 2 years before revegetation activities is even more ideal, as this allows the practitioner to deplete the weed seed bank as well. However, initiating management this early is often logistically and financially infeasible.
Many conventional weed management strategies (e.g. grazing, herbicide application and prescribed fire) suggest targeting a particular point in the life cycle of the plant (e.g., the seedling). Keep in mind that many populations of invasive plants do not enter life stages at the same time. For example, spraying a patch of seedings will likely not provide eradication because some of the plants will not yet be in the seedling stage. Multiple management events within a single season can address this obstacle. Moreover, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, where mutually supporting approaches (e.g. herbicide, mechanical, burning, competition) are used in concert to target weeds, tend to be most successful in the long term.
Resources
Weed Identification
- State of Utah Noxious Weed List
- Noxious Weed Field Guide for Utah | USU Extension
- Common Weeds of the Yard and Garden
Weed Control
- Invasive and Poisonous Plants | USU
- Invasive Plants in Utah | Rangeland Resources of Utah
- Utah’s Noxious Weed Control Program | PLPCO
- Biocontrol Field Guide For Utah
- Nutritional Value and Toxins in Various Noxious Weeds
- Noxious Weeds Program | Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
- Weed Management Using IPM Techniques
- Weed Management Basics for Home Gardens
Seedbank Information
- The Noxious Weed Seedbank: Out of Sight – Out of Mind and Eventually Out of Control
- Weed Seed Biology, Seedbanks and Management
- Plant life span and persistence of soil seedbanks predict the emergence of herbicide resistance in noxious weeds
References
[1] Cione NK, Padgett PE, Allen EB. Restoration of a native shrubland impacted by exotic grasses, frequent fire, and nitrogen deposition in southern California. Restoration Ecology. 2002 [accessed 2022 Dec 22];10(2):376–384. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1526-100X.2002.02038.x. doi:10.1046/j.1526-100X.2002.02038.x
[2] Wrysinski J. Roadside establishment of native perennial grasses. In: Robins P, editor. Bring Farm Edges Back to Life! Woodland (CA): Yolo County Resource Conservation District; 1999. p. 23–28.