Mount Tamborine Weeds

Thus, it is possible that a respectable garden species could be regarded as a weed if its impact on the garden where it is growing is negative. The most obvious example in the Mount Tamborine region is Privet, both large leaf and spiny small leaf. Both are used as hedging but spread prolifically by profuse flowering and seeding in the spring. Even plants such as Agapanthus can at times spread to unwanted areas of the garden.

Alternatively, exotic species such as Lantana, Crotalaria, and Morning Glory can prove to be a serious challenge to control in pasture as well as gardens. Yet it is possible that all three might play a role in sustaining wildlife such as butterflies, bees, and the tiny wrens.

So on The Overflow, what might be regarded as a weed is a location-specific decision. Kikuyu, for example is an excellent pasture species and ground cover where heavy rainfall events can occur. Yet its invasiveness is not appropriate in garden beds where it becomes a weed.

It is possible that my explanation of weediness might not find agreement with others who could consider any exotic species a weed, for example, a jacaranda tree. It would be interesting to hear from those reading the website as to their take on this issue.

Herbicides. These are not appropriate in any biodynamic or organic garden. Yet at The Overflow there are times when their use is both important and essential.  The size of the garden (3.5 acres) means that anyone trying to maintain that area will at times be overwhelmed with weed growth. The alternative is an army of gardeners pulling out weeds. Manual weed control is still used here for the majority of time. But growth of broadleaf species in the late summer and early autumn can choke out desirable grasses and Weed’N’Feed works very well as a longer-term weedicide where soil fertility is poor and subject to weed growth.

Glyphosate is used in defined garden beds where weeds are starting to gain a hold. It is used very carefully as it kills just about everything fairly quickly. It is spot applied very carefully on a non-windy time of day.