It is important to always wear gloves and
long sleeves when hand pulling weeds. Hand pulling is very effective
for spotted knapweed (and other shallow tap rooted plants) because you
can pull out the whole root.
It is not
as effective, though, for leafy spurge (and other deep rooted and
lateral rooted plants) because it has an extensive root
system.
Make sure that when
you pull weeds you leave them in
the same
area to dry out. Then put them in a sturdy plastic bag and despose of
them on a land fill to prevent the spread
of seeds.
Hand pulling is very
labor-intensive, so it should
only be used on small infestations. Pulling is most effective in the
spring before the weeds have an extensive root system. Pull when
the soil is moist.
Bibliography :
Breitenfeldt,
Todd. High School Biology Teacher, Whitehall High, Whitehall, MT
59759. 406-287-3862. Personal Interview. 2/4/08.
Creatures Country. "Noxious Weed
Management". Creatures
Country. 2007.
Creatures Country. 2/6/08. [http://www.feednfarm.com/weedhome.html].
By: Anna and Amy 2/14/08.
