Disturbed sites can be a haven for weedy or invasive plants. A restoration practitioner can select species known to competitively exclude undesirable species at any stage, although mature plants are more likely to resist invasion than younger seedlings [1]. Care should always be taken to keep construction/restoration equipment and any other sources of weed seed clean of soil and plant material when moving between sites so that the weeds are not spread from one disturbed site to another. If there are known invasive species in adjacent sites, early detection and removal of weedy species may be necessary to keep the restoration site free from invasive species. For targeted identification and management of priority weeds, contact your local Cooperative Extension office or your local Cooperative Weed Management Area.
Resources
- Cooperative Extension weed management guide
- Cooperative Extension non-native, invasive plants of Arizona
- Northern Arizona homeowners guide to identifying and managing weeds
- Restoring Western Rangelands and Wildlands
- Weed Control Methods Handbook from TNC
- Growing native guide for weeds
- The cutest way to control weeds