Watch For Hitchhiking Weeds

When you plant the perfect container-grown perennials, or larger balled-and-burlapped shrubs and trees, you may inadvertently introduce unwelcome hitchhikers into your landscape. Weeds or weed seeds may be hiding in the soil of your new greenery.

A two-year undertaking in Alaska resulted in 50-plus weeds being incubated from soils imported into the state from outside plant suppliers. Only three of the incubations were native to Alaska.

Nurseries in colder climates frequently obtain vegetables, herbs, perennials and woody shrubs and trees from suppliers across the country. To prevent any ride-along weeds or weed seeds from unexpectedly invading your garden pull any sprouted weeds—roots and all—from containers or larger soil balls before or as you plant them. Then watch for and remove any weeds that freshly sprout in and around your new transplants so they don't invade your gardens. To be extra sure these weeds don't spread, toss them into the trash.

Read more about the weed study via the link above, at http://www.joenesgarden.com/2009/08/hitchhiking-weeds/ and in the May/June 2011 issue of Horticulture Magazine. For other Connecticut style gardening tidbits visit http://www.joenesgarden.com.