Weeds
The problem all gardeners face is how to deal with weeds that crop up everywhere – pathways, lawns, garden beds, and even in pot plants.
Luckily, we’ve got some great organic tips to beat them without resorting to dangerous herbicides. Here we made a list of common garden weeds in Australia with brief tips on how to identify and get rid of them using non-toxic methods. Just click on the pictures to find out more about them!
Blackberry Nightshade
Hello, I'm Blackberry Nightshade Botanical Name Solanum nigrum DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am bright lime green in colour and produce burrs or prickles each spring which then develop into next year’s crop of weeds. I am a creeping plant forming quite a flat groundcover that...
Nutgrass
Hello, I'm Nutgrass Botanical Name Cyperus rotundus DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am a tall grass-like plant with a deep-rooted nut, after which I am named. I spread underground by runners which connect an network of nuts. I am very difficult to eradicate as I release my leaves...
Dandelion
Hello, I'm Dandelion Botanical Name Taraxacum DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am the original broad leaf flatweed! I can grow a dense centre that smothers any plants around me. I have bright yellow daisy-like flowers that turn into a puffball of seeds. Kids love blowing me...
Billygoat weed
Hello, I'm Billygoat weed Botanical Name Ageratum conyzoides DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am an annual or short-lived perennial with green, furry leaves and mauve coloured flowers that some find attractive. I set lots of seeds from each flower which I happily disperse across...
Purslane
Hello, I'm Purslane Botanical Name Portulaca oleracea DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am actually a herb, with fleshy light green to golden leaves and stems. Although I can quickly become a nuisance in your garden, I can be valuable as the sap from my leaves alleviates the pain...
Oxalis
Hello, I'm Oxalis Botanical Name Oxalis acetosella DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am sometimes confused with clover as I have a similar leaf structure when small. I have bright green three-lobed leaves, sometimes with a paler green halo design on the leaves. I have a deep nut or...
Hairy Commelina
Hello, I'm Hairy Commelina Botanical Name Commelina benghalensis DESCRIBE YOURSELF Previously known as Wandering Jew, I am a long-lived creeping weed with blue flowers. I can grow up to 30cm high and very thick, smothering any plants I cover. My stems can be smooth or...
Cobblers Pegs
Hello, I'm Cobblers Pegs Botanical Name Bidens pilosa DESCRIBE YOURSELF I am a long lived, perennial plant that is green in colour, although older leaves can be reddish. I have attractive small daisy-like flowers, which are white with a yellow centre. I quickly...