Creeping Charlie is a fast-growing groundcover that many people consider a weed. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Got weeds? There’s an app for that, coming soon!
The definition of a true “weed” has morphed, particularly in light of recent reports about the value that dandelions and other early bloomers provide for our valued pollinators, such as bees.
I’m choosing the route of keeping those “weeds” for as long as I, or my neighbors, will tolerate them, and definitely won’t use chemical forms of control.
Still, plants that grow where they’re not wanted are a concern for many people.
The Iowa Stormwater Education Program is working on a weed “app” for urban weeds and is looking for what Iowans think are the top 10 weeds being pulled in urban gardens and landscapes.
Dandelions and creeping Charlie might rank right up there, but what else do you find in your yard that grows where it should not?
The group is hearing from cities with volunteers who don’t know which plants to let grow or the weeds that need to go, especially at a young stage of growth.
Once they have the common weeds identified, they will develop an app for smartphones that can be downloaded by anyone, for free.
Tell us what your top weeds are in a message here, or on the Homegrown Facebook page.
We’ll let you know the results.
pigweed, lambsquarters, velvetleaf, chickweed, creeping charlie, dandelion, purslane, quackgrass, in that order.
Thank you, Orlan! I thought for sure your land would be weed-free!