Pig weed outbreak

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

This year my yard turned into a pigweed lawn. I realize that this shows that my soil is deficient in some nutrient, but I can't find an answer as to what my soil needs to get rid of this pesky weed. (tried several gardening books and Internet) Does anyone have an answer?

-- Mary Beierle (barnwood@preferred.com), October 28, 1999

Answers

do you have any ducks??It seems that my duck's favorite food is pigweed. IF it the same weed we call pigweed in Central Coast of CA. I have turned several ducks out and in no time they have wiped it out. fertilize things in the process, but you can water THAT in. If you try this though, make sure we are talking about the same weed, or at least one that isn't toxic!! Good luck!!

-- Jenny Pipes (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 31, 1999.

It has come to my attention that what you need to get rid of pig weed are some good old fashioned pigs. I for one have a pet pig named porky who loves to eat pig weed as well. Thank you for your time and good luck with the weeds. Rock On!

-- Ashely L. (Ashiebaby1@aol.com), April 06, 2001.

Mary, Your county extension office should be able to identify this weed to be sure of what it is. ATTRA says that "pigweed" is poisonous to hogs , by the way. If it's the same thing we call pigweed, just keeping it mowed would discourage it. Good luck...

-- Peg in NW WI (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), April 06, 2001.

Hi Mary,

Although you are very astute to recognize the value of weeds for indentifying nutritional problems in your soil, in the case of pigweed, it may be a good sign, rather than negative:

"Lambsquarters, pigweed and cocklebur suggest a trio of superlatives, namely wholesome, highly productive ,good quality soils. They are not hard to manage with clean tillage, and do not call for inputs from the devil's pantry."

You may need to till and plant some grass seed in areas of heavy pigweed; just don't add any fertilizer! If you cannot till it, perhaps just keeping it well mowed while broadcasting grass seed to fill in on its own would help?

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), April 06, 2001.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ