Articles written by Mari Hardel
Sorted by date Results 1 - 9 of 9
January Weed of the Month: What's in my Soil?
A shocking number of weed seedlings popped up the first spring of my new garden. If you're planning a garden or landscaping project, consider how the materials you use could bring in invasive species – weeds, seeds, and unwanted pests. Compost can be a huge help to your garden, but the material can also introduce weeds. Most...
November Weed of the Month: Norway Maple
Colorful fall leaves have blown away, but hopefully you got a chance to enjoy the vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds of maple trees. Minnesota has six species of native maples, and some non-native species as well. You may be familiar with the lobed shape of a maple leaf, but on closer inspection each of these seven species'...
September Weed of the Month: Invasive Knotweeds
It's that time of year again - summer is coming to an end and invasive knotweeds are blooming. In Minnesota, we have three different species of invasive knotweeds: Bohemian knotweed (Polygonum × bohemicum), Giant knotweed (P. sachalinense), and Japanese knotweed (P. cuspidatum and P. cuspidatum var. compacta). While these...
July Weed of the Month: Recreation and Invasive Plants - What You Can Do
Summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy the nature we have in Minnesota, and many of us have hobbies that get us into the woods or onto the trails. Think back to the last time you went hiking, horseback riding, biking, camping, ATV riding, or whatever it is you like to do outside – did you remember to clean your...
April Weed of the Month: Siberian Peashrub
Siberian peashrub, Caragana arborescens, was added to Minnesota's Noxious Weed List in 2020. Native to cold climates in eastern Asia, Siberian peashrub can grow up to 18 feet tall and has compound leaves 2-4 inches long with 8-12 pair of leaflets. It produces yellow flowers in May or June which ripen into slender brown seed...
June Weed of the Month: Cooperative Invasive Species Groups
On a warm spring day in May, Duluth Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) partners from across south St. Louis County met at a Duluth community center to share their collective knowledge on invasive species causing concern in the region. The group consisted of partners from state agencies, St. Louis County,...
March Weed of the Month: Knotweed Survey
In 2018, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Noxious Weed Advisory Committee (NWAC) revisited the risk assessment of non-native invasive knotweeds and developed a survey to gather information from the public. Knotweeds typically grow in residential areas – often planted in landscapes – and therefore affect a...
December Weed of the Month: Managing Invasive Plants in a Forest
Minnesota is well loved for forested areas – from expansive tree covered landscapes to wooded city lots. While not all forests in Minnesota have invasive species, they are all susceptible. Invasive plant management tactics may look different depending on the infestation size, location and other factors. We have the...
September Weed of the Month: Knotweeds
Native to Asia, knotweeds were introduced to North America as an ornamental plant. They can spread into natural areas growing quickly and forming dense monocultures, reducing habitat diversity, and overtaking riverbanks and lakeshores. Additionally, knotweeds have the ability to grow through cracks in pavement or building...