How to get rid of Common Liverwort in my vegetable garden? - Ask Extension
This Common Liverwort specimen pictured (roughly 4” long) is growing on top of the soil in my vegetable garden. I have scraped it off and discarded ...
Knowledgebase
How to get rid of Common Liverwort in my vegetable garden? #851808
Asked October 01, 2023, 7:59 PM EDT
This Common Liverwort specimen pictured (roughly 4” long) is growing on top of the soil in my vegetable garden. I have scraped it off and discarded it. How can I prevent it from returning?
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Hello Julie,
It is not surprising that you are having this problem given the wet and cool summer that we have had. Liverwort thrives in these conditions, as it does at times in greenhouses. It is difficult to get rid of it completely but here are some suggestions to help mitigate the problem. You should take steps to help your garden drain by breaking up soil compaction. As the fact sheet from Oregon State (attached below) indicates, "Changing your media to a mix that has better drainage will also reduce liverwort vigor. Coarse media that drains well, especially near the surface, is ideal. Coarse bark, pumice, perlite, and vermiculite would work well to increase drainage." Use a coarse mulch that dries out quickly and doesn't compact. Avoid surface applications of fertilizer that will only feed the algae and liverwort.
Following is an article that will broaden your knowledge, also I am attaching PDF files of a couple other articles.
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2022/03/23/controlling-liverwort-organically
It is not surprising that you are having this problem given the wet and cool summer that we have had. Liverwort thrives in these conditions, as it does at times in greenhouses. It is difficult to get rid of it completely but here are some suggestions to help mitigate the problem. You should take steps to help your garden drain by breaking up soil compaction. As the fact sheet from Oregon State (attached below) indicates, "Changing your media to a mix that has better drainage will also reduce liverwort vigor. Coarse media that drains well, especially near the surface, is ideal. Coarse bark, pumice, perlite, and vermiculite would work well to increase drainage." Use a coarse mulch that dries out quickly and doesn't compact. Avoid surface applications of fertilizer that will only feed the algae and liverwort.
Following is an article that will broaden your knowledge, also I am attaching PDF files of a couple other articles.
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2022/03/23/controlling-liverwort-organically
Thanks so much, Dan. This is very helpful information.
Julie
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Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 7:51 PM
To: Julie Wasserman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: How to get rid of Common Liverwort in my vegetable garden? (#0121733)
