There comes a time when a task can no longer be delayed. So it was for me, when last week I removed a vine from the front garden. As soon as I moved to this place, the vine was doomed, as I recognised its weed potential and knew it had to go. Throughout the long hot summer, against a hot tin fence and receiving no watering, it continued to grow. Tough all right. Probably why someone planted it. It may have been given to them by a “helpful” person, many plants are spread this way. But there is a dark side to this sharing of plants. They can become invasive.

http://www.weeds.org.au/ is a site with a great deal of information in an easy to follow format.

The World Wildlife Fund http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/invasives/ is also very concerned about weeds and their effect on Australian species :

“Weeds, Pests and Diseases

The threat posed to Australian native species by invasive weeds and pest animals is growing. It is now second only to land clearing as the biggest threat to Australia’s biodiversity.”

I am not a lone flag waver on this. There are many concerned people who are doing great work in undoing the damage. Regenerating the bush.

http://www.aabr.org.au/ is one such organisation. They have a REPORT: PAYING THE PRICE OF GARDEN ESCAPES. Click here to download the Report.

While not everyone can get out into the bush and remove the weeds, we can all behave in a responsible manner when it comes to putting plants in our gardens. No longer can we use the excuse “I didn’t know” - we must make it our business to know. The information is now readily available from many sources, and the nursery industry has come on board with a great range of information and alternatives.

Unfortunately, many of the exotic plants I have grown up with, and consider my friends, are on the invasive list. Others may not be on the list, but their potential still exists. And just because a plant is a “native” does not preclude it from problems. Many natives grown outside of their original habitat have become weeds.

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/

Their site states:

“What are invasive species?

An invasive species is a species occurring, as a result of human activities, beyond its accepted normal distribution and which threatens valued environmental, agricultural or other social resources by the damage it causes.”

• CRC for Weed Management Systems is a Cooperative Research Centre.
• Environmental Weeds in Australia lists environmental weeds in Australia and their impact. Some photos available.
• Invasive Plant Species in Australia covers what work is being done at present and what needs to be done in the future.
• Weed Science has information about weeds from the Western Australia Agriculture Department.
• Weedbuster Week is a national awareness event that highlights the impact of weeds on primary industries, the environment and human and animal health, and encourages governments, industry, private and community organisations to work together.
• Weeds Australia National Weeds Strategy - a strategic approach to weed problems of national significance.

Remember: a weed is a plant in the wrong place.

Please take care of the land, where-ever you live.