invasive species

Invasive species are those plants or animals that are not native, and affect the particular habitats of native born creatures.  Here are some tips to help avoid invasive species in your own home or garden!


Be careful of landscape disturbances
These plants can live on bare soil or rugged areas where native plants cannot thrive.  Watch out for areas like this, and keep plant beds where native plants thrive clean and tidy.


Be careful of your fertilizers
Go organic, or use compost or mulch piles.  Many invasive species can thrive off of soil with high nitrogen levels, so do a soil test before you put fertilizer onto into your soil.


control the situation before it gets out of hand
Scout out your gardens often, such as once or twice a week.  With any sign of invasive species, it is important to get them out right away.  Once a plant is settled in and spreads, it is much more difficult to control the situation.  Pull the weed out by the base of the root and throw it into a separate pile.  You can then dispose of them into something such as a compost pile.


Invasive plants that are often found in Wisconsin include:
-blackberry lilly
-black locust
-buckthorn
-chicory
-orchard grass
-poison ivy
-spotted knapweed


Invasive species can come quickly, so be careful of them.  Any plants that are non native can destroy habitats of plants that you wish to have in your garden.  By pulling them right away, they will be much easier to manage.


-Posted and Written By: Melissa Luke