It starts around the end of August: sticker season. The rest of the summer, these stickers can be kept under a certain amount of control by mowing, but in late summer they just won't take no for an answer.
These aren't just any stickers, these are goat's heads, or sand burrs. At least that's what we call them around here. It is common to find weeds in our area that try to spread their seeds by attaching them to clothes, skin, fur or anything else they can find to adhere to. One beautiful summer flower has triangular seeds with a velcro-like covering. They travel on shoe laces and pant cuffs. Another daisy-like flower has a center made up of seeds we call "devil's pitchforks" because of the little prongs that grab onto fabrics. Sand burrs don't have any of these redeeming qualities.
Sand burrs don't have pretty flowers. They grow on grassy plants that aren't nearly as attractive as crab grass and they lie in wait like the vicious predators that they are.
The sand burrs stab into shoes, socks, jeans and skin--and they are painful. We have to clean off the soles of our shoes before we go into the house, or the burrs transfer to the carpets and rugs to lay in wait for bare feet like some nightmarish Lego blocks. When we try to pick the burrs with our bare fingers, the tips often break off in our skin like tiny splinters. I wouldn't be surprised if they have some kind of toxin, the way they irritate and constantly remind us of their presence.
All summer long we mow the common areas of the property, places we or the dogs or the neighbors might walk. At first it seems like we are winning the battle, but goat's heads are relentless. The more they are threatened the faster they put on their nasty little seeds.
To me, the worst part is that the proliferation of sand burrs is caused by mowing. In the wild areas that have never been mowed, the burrs can't take hold. Tall grasses deprive them of light and prevent them from spreading.
Mowing cuts down the competing grasses, giving the burrs light, space and moisture. Plus, mowers scatter the seeds the same way they scatter the cut grass.
Next summer I plan to mow even more frequently to try to stay ahead of seed formation. I may turn some areas under, which would bury the seeds too deep to sprout. I also plan to try agricultural corn gluten meal as a natural herbicide. Corn gluten meal is often used as a preemergent. It somehow prevents seeds from germinating, so it helps kill off annual weeds. I don't know how well it will work on a large hard seed like a sand burr, but it's worth a try. It seems like a better idea that my first impulse, which was to use a flame thrower.
Stephen
These aren't just any stickers, these are goat's heads, or sand burrs. At least that's what we call them around here. It is common to find weeds in our area that try to spread their seeds by attaching them to clothes, skin, fur or anything else they can find to adhere to. One beautiful summer flower has triangular seeds with a velcro-like covering. They travel on shoe laces and pant cuffs. Another daisy-like flower has a center made up of seeds we call "devil's pitchforks" because of the little prongs that grab onto fabrics. Sand burrs don't have any of these redeeming qualities.
Sand burrs don't have pretty flowers. They grow on grassy plants that aren't nearly as attractive as crab grass and they lie in wait like the vicious predators that they are.
Sand burrs don't even deserve to be called "burrs." They are called goat's heads because of their shape. They have thorns that resemble goat horns. Plus, they have smaller thorns that might resemble a beard or something. These thorns are lethal.
All summer long we mow the common areas of the property, places we or the dogs or the neighbors might walk. At first it seems like we are winning the battle, but goat's heads are relentless. The more they are threatened the faster they put on their nasty little seeds.
To me, the worst part is that the proliferation of sand burrs is caused by mowing. In the wild areas that have never been mowed, the burrs can't take hold. Tall grasses deprive them of light and prevent them from spreading.
Mowing cuts down the competing grasses, giving the burrs light, space and moisture. Plus, mowers scatter the seeds the same way they scatter the cut grass.
Next summer I plan to mow even more frequently to try to stay ahead of seed formation. I may turn some areas under, which would bury the seeds too deep to sprout. I also plan to try agricultural corn gluten meal as a natural herbicide. Corn gluten meal is often used as a preemergent. It somehow prevents seeds from germinating, so it helps kill off annual weeds. I don't know how well it will work on a large hard seed like a sand burr, but it's worth a try. It seems like a better idea that my first impulse, which was to use a flame thrower.
Stephen
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