Little bittercress removal - Ask Extension
Little bittercress has taken over gardens. I have spend 10 hours removing by hand in one area, and have more than 4x more to go. Help!!
I removed ol...
Knowledgebase
Little bittercress removal #862264
Asked March 22, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT
Little bittercress has taken over gardens. I have spend 10 hours removing by hand in one area, and have more than 4x more to go. Help!!
I removed old, woody lavender last fall and replanted lavender starts which are very small. So all the area has been over taken with bittercress weeds mostly, plus a few others.
It's overwhelming. My hope is to remove and add soil amendment over all. Better ideas??
Photos show: garden before lavender removed, that same garden now, and another garden area partially weeded by hand.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. This weed is either an annual (produces seeds in one season), or a biennial (produces seeds in its second year). It has a very shallow root system, and is easy to pull while the soil is workable. Physically pulling it is the most eco-friendly way to control it--before the flowers and seeds develop. After that, herbicides such as glyphosate are effective. (You're using elbow grease--least costly.)
Over the long haul, prevention is the best cure. "Nature abhors a vacuum", and these will germinate in any bare space, especially moist ones. https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/weed/bittercress
Unless you either plant a ground cover or thick mulch, that blocks sun and water from the seedlings, you'll continue to have them. You also might consider applying a pre-emergent (such as Preen), that stops them from germinating. Probably already too late this year. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
Over the long haul, prevention is the best cure. "Nature abhors a vacuum", and these will germinate in any bare space, especially moist ones. https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/weed/bittercress
Unless you either plant a ground cover or thick mulch, that blocks sun and water from the seedlings, you'll continue to have them. You also might consider applying a pre-emergent (such as Preen), that stops them from germinating. Probably already too late this year. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!
