WEED CONTROL BHT209

Learn 
  • Weed identification
  • Weed control
  • Weed management 
Weed control is an important part of the horticulturists daily routine - irrelevant of which sector you are working in ie. greenhouse growing, open field growing, pot culture, or gardens you will need to be able to identify weeds and chose an appropriate control technique.

In horticultural practice, if weeds are to be controlled, it is critical that they are accurately identified when young. However, weeds are notorious for their diversity and resilience. These two characteristics have made weeds attractive as garden plants in countries to which they are not native.

Young weeds are far easier to control than older and more established weeds. There are many different ways of controlling weed growth, and the effectiveness of each technique is related to the varieties of weeds being controlled. Some chemicals, for instance will effectively kill certain weeds when they are in the early stages of growth, but will not control other types of weeds. You may need to be able to distinguish between types of weeds to determine whether the chemical will or will not work.

Over eight lessons you learn about both chemical and non-chemical control methods (mulching, burning, mowing), the use of spray equipment and safety procedures which should be followed.

Know how to identify weeds and chose appropriate control techniques

- a must for established horticulturists or those wanting to extend their knowledge and improve their job prospects.

If weeds are to be controlled, it is critical that they are accurately identified when young. However, weeds are notorious for their diversity and resilience. These two characteristics have made weeds attractive as garden plants in countries to which they are not native.

Young weeds are far easier to control than older and more established weeds. There are many different ways of controlling weed growth, and the effectiveness of each technique is related to the varieties of weeds being controlled. Some chemicals, for instance will effectively kill certain weeds when they are in the early stages of growth, but will not control other types of weeds. You may need to be able to distinguish between types of weeds to determine whether the chemical will or will not work.

This course develops your ability to identify and understand weed growth; as well as the ability to consider alternative ways of controlling them before selecting an appropriate method for the situation at hand.

 

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is divided into 8 lessons as follows:

1.  Weed Identification: review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the weeds, further information, contacts, etc.

2.  Weed Control Methods: practical research on management of weeds, understanding terminology and the use of mulches

3.  Chemical Weed Control: review of commercial and domestic herbicides, determining what differentiates them, their availability and use.

4.  Weed Control In Specific Situations: understanding weed control strategies for particular situations, accessing first hand information about weed control from industry leaders and determining a weed control program for five different sites.

5.  Safe Chemical Application: reviewing what types of chemicals and application methods are used in the industry and the required safety procedures for the handling and administrating chemical herbicides.

6.  Non-Chemical Weed Control: determining any detrimental effects chemical herbicides have on the environment, reviewing non-chemical applications and their effectiveness.

7.  Dealing With Specific Weed Control Problems: looking at current industry practices for weed control and the effects on the environment, in relation to specific weed control problems.

8.  Developing A Major Weed Control Program: a practical lesson where the student can fully demonstrate their understanding of weed control by devising a weed management plan for a designated area.



Aims

  • Distinguish between different types of weeds, and identify common weed species, growing in your locality.
  • To understand the characteristics of different weed control methods.
  • To be able to explain the use of chemical herbicides to control weeds.
  • To be able to specify appropriate weed control methods, for different types of situations.
  • To determine appropriate techniques for the safe application of chemical herbicide in a specific situation.
  • To be able to explain different non-chemical weed control methods.
  • To be able to devise appropriate methods for control of weeds, for specific problems, in both the horticultural and agricultural industries
  • To be able to determine a detailed weed control program for a significant weed problem.


WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE

  • You will look at and consider around 100 different varieties of weeds and prepare plant review sheets for ,any different weed plants.

  • Make up a list of information resources.

  • Study the growth of different varieties of weeds in the field.

  • Make drawings of young seedlings of at least fifteen different weeds.

  • Speak/interview people who have to deal with weed control in their daily life.

  • Visit a nursery, garden shop or hardware store that sells herbicides to the public.

  • Visit at least one supplier of herbicides for industrial and agricultural use.

  • Contact 4 or 5 of the larger chemical companies for leaflets on different herbicides.

  • Investigate at least two work places where weed control programs are regularly carried out.

  • Visit and inspect five different sites where weeds are a problem.

  • Photograph different places that have been treated with weedicides.

  • Contact your local Department of Agriculture or Lands Department for researching purposes.

  • Visit different properties or farms and investigate weed growth there.

  • Develop a 12 month guideline for an integrated weed control program for a particular site


Duration:  100 hours



Daisies in the Lawn

There are lots of different daisy like plants that can affect a lawn. For some people, they are not a big issue; but most of these plants have broader leaves that spread and smother lawn grasses; and when the weed dies; it can leave dead patches of grass.
A common daisy found in lawns across many temperate climates is Bellis perennis (English daisy, common daisy, lawn daisy).

HEIGHT AND HABIT: this is a perennials daisy with glossy pal green spoon shaped leaves that sit close to the ground and form a basal rosette of growth. The plant spreads by seeds and also by underground creeping rhizomes and can quickly establish itself in a rich fertile soil. As a garden weed it is most commonly found in lawns where it soon smothers out the existing lawn species.  The white, many petals on daisy-like flowers appear in spring and summer on stems arising from the crown of the plant and reaching from one to 20 centimetres tall, depending on the soil and position. 

GROWING CONDITIONS: this plant thrives in moist, damp clayey or loam soils in high rainfall areas and in a sunny position. Hybrid forms of this plant are often grown as annuals in gardens, for their white pink and crimson tinged daisy like flowers with a golden centre.

METHOD OF SPREAD: spreads easily by seed and also by the creeping underground rhizomes running along close to the soil surface.

PROPERTIES AND FEATURES: very attractive for English and cottage style gardens. This plant adds colour and interest to large lawn areas if its spread is monitored. The flower petals and the leaves are often added to salads and the tiny flower buds to fruit punches. It also has herbal/ naturopathic properties.

METHOD OF CONTROL: removal of the plant and soil, or use of broad leafed weedicides (you may need to repeat application) or a combination of hand removal and heavy mulching where it is in a lawn area should give satisfactory control.