Natural Weed Control

Conventional approaches to weed control focus on the use of chemical herbicides, which are costly both economically and ecologically. At EcoSystems Design Inc. we take a more holistic approach, considering not just the problems we observe, but more importantly, the ecological conditions that enable them to thrive. By first working to restore health to the degraded soils subject to weed infestation, we can then help to accelerate the natural re-colonization of abused landscapes by healthy, native plants and productive pastures.

We are happy to make available Natural Controls for Noxious Weeds - an informative DVD on natural weed control strategies produced by Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute. To find out more, click here.

Our Natural Weed Control and Revegetation Programs

At EcoSystems Design Inc., we begin with an overall assessment of soil conditions and weed problems, using one or more of the following strategies to correct the problems:

1. Soil re-mineralization
2. Natural fertilizers
3. Mycorrhizal soil innoculum
4. Cover cropping (summer and fall)
5. Manual weed control, including grazing of animals
6. Biological control for thistle and tansy
7. Mulching
8. Reseeding of hardy native perennials, wild flowers, grasses, & shrubs

Government agencies, ranchers, and others have been fighting a losing battle against the encroachment of noxious weeds in the west. This problem is reaching a crisis stage in many areas, as the weeds displace grasses and native vegetation, range lands become less productive, areas are not as accessible for recreation uses, property values fall, and the aesthetic quality of the land is diminished.

Traditional chemical approaches to eradicating weeds, while often leading to some short-term results, are failing to provide an adequate long-term solution. Chemical approaches are ineffective because they treat the symptoms of poor soil conditions (i.e., weed infestations) but fail to provide an overall ecological strategy that would improve the soils and prevent the weeds from thriving in the first place. Attacking undesired plant life with toxic chemicals can have some rather nasty consequences for ecosystem under assault, as well.

To understand soil health in the West one must look back in time. Geologically speaking, Western soils are considered "new,” having been more recently deposited. They are typically fragile and have thin, easily eroded organic layers. Over the past one hundred and twenty years soils in the west have been degraded by a number of extractive industries which seldom gave much back to the land. While natural processes have also played a role in this, much of this degradation has been caused by timbering practices leading to erosion (clear cutting without replanting); mining practices which polluted water and disturbed soils; continuous mono-cropping of crops including potatoes and lettuces; over grazing by sheep, horses and cattle; construction of roads and rail corridors; and commercial and residential development.

Weeds are indicators of soil deficiencies and tend to thrive in compacted, disturbed, and demineralized soils that have lost much of their organic content. An area that is heavily infested with wild mustard, for example, indicates soils with very low calcium content. Any time soils are disturbed, depleted of minerals, or heavily trampled, ideal conditions are created for weed growth. From a long-term perspective, weeds are actually helping heal the land after it has been disturbed. Thistles, for example, extend deep roots and bring depleted minerals up to the surface. They alleviate soil compaction, and when they die, they deposit organic matter which helps build topsoil. As the health of the soil is restored, the weeds will eventually be replaced . Unfortunately, the natural restoration of soil by weeds takes an unacceptably long time.

The natural weed control techniques promoted by EcoSystems Design Inc. speed up the natural soil restoration process. We do this through strategies that include remineralization, the introduction of mycohorizal fungi, and cover cropping with aggressive, desirable plants. Chemical approaches, on the other hand, often interfere with nature's restorative strategies by killing food sources for beneficial insects that help control unwanted weed species.

Many government agencies and large land holders are beginning to accept more integrated weed control strategies. The time is ripe to promote more holistic natural approaches to this issue. Delays ensure that weeds will continue to encroach on Colorado's disturbed soils with the potentially dangerous, and questionably effective, response being the use of chemical controls that contaminate soils, rivers, and ground water. We have chemical-free solutions that work.

For details and ordering information regarding our DVD
Natural Controls for Noxious Weeds click here.

For more information, e-mail Jerome Osentowski at (970) 927-4158