The links below will take you to an NCAP webpage or factsheet (PDF) with additional information about that topic. NCAP grants permission to print out and copy these articles. You may distribute as many copies as you want, but they must be free to recipients.
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BINDWEEDS (FIELD & HEDGE) (factsheet)
Keeping bindweed out of your fields or garden is the best way to prevent problems with this weed. There are no 'quick-fix' solutions to eliminate it- all techniques require persistence and patience.
BLACKBERRIES
One technique for removing unwanted berries is mowing or cutting; cut back the vines to ground level. Covering the soil after cutting or mowing can be an appropriate way to kill roots and crowns. Digging out blackberry root crowns and major side roots is another effective removal technique.
COMPOST TEA
Compost tea uses a pump to inject air through a solution of compost and water to encourage a special mix of aerobic microscopic organisms to grow. These soil microbes are very beneficial in a number of ways.
DANDELIONS
If you need to control dandelions, focus on creating a strong, healthy lawn. If necessary, there are many non-chemical tools available to kill dandelions or remove them. And remember that dandelions can be beneficial- be willing to put up with a few dandelions in your yard!
FLAMEWEEDING
Since the beginning of civilization, fire has been a tool for managing vegetative growth in the landscape. However, it took quite some time to figure out how to control fire for modern agricultural and home garden usage.
FLATWEED (factsheet)
Flatweed (Hypochaeris radicata), also known as hairy cat’s ear, is a low-lying perennial in the family Asteraceae. It can spread aggressively! This guide explains the background, identification, reproduction and control techniques for flatweed.
GOATS (FOR WEED CONTROL)
Instead of herbicides, some people turn to goats to clear their properties of invasive weeds. Goats can knock down weeds in hard-to-reach places such as steep slopes or heavily overgrown areas where using machinery would be difficult or too damaging.
HOUSEPLANTS
Houseplants bring nature, color, and beauty inside our homes. Occasionally these plants have problems with pests, but it's not necessary to use pesticides when this happens.
KNAPWEED
Knapweed spreads rapidly because it produces a huge number of seeds and releases a chemical that retards the growth of other plants. Using a strategy called “stronghold”, people can focus on gaining control of the weed in specific areas and then connecting those areas.
LAWNS
Lots of pesticides are used on lawns. Many people are familiar with 2,4-D, an herbicide that’s often found in "weed n feed” products and is the most commonly used lawn care pesticide. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 9 million pounds of 2,4-D are used on U.S. lawns every year!
LOVE YOUR LAWN (factsheet)
Start incorporating easy, ecologically-sound practices that will help your lawn thrive and outcompete weeds! Or, get started on a lawn alternative like an ecolawn, meadowscape or rain garden.
MOSS IN LAWNS
Moss develops in unhealthy lawns. To promote healthy soil and lawns, you can: lime, prune, and aerate your lawn, install a draining system, use a thatching rake to remove dead grass, and water deeply but infrequently.
MOSS ON ROOFS
Moss growth can destroy cedar and shingled roofs. Chemical moss control products can be harmful as they leach into the environment, and impact water quality. Get tips for prevention and treatment of moss on roofs.
NATURAL LANDSCAPING (factsheet)
Many gardeners use herbicides to get rid of weeds. However, it is possible to manage weed problems without causing more damage to the environment by using herbicides.
NOXIOUS WEEDS
Noxious weeds are non-native plants, mostly weeds of rangeland or pasture, that are classified under federal and state law as having negative impacts on agriculture. In many states, counties, and cities, control of noxious weeds is mandated by law.
POISON OAK & POISON IVY (factsheet)
Poison oak and poison ivy provide nourishment to animals and stabilizes soil, but they also pose a serious threat. To remove the plants try digging up the roots in the late fall or cover the plants for several months.
POWDERY MILDEW
Powdery mildew is easily recognized by its white powdery growth on both sides of leaves, and sometimes on blossoms, fruit and stems. The first sign of infection is often white circular spots on leaves. Later the leaves often curl, and take on a distorted shape, turn yellow or brown, and may fall from the plant prematurely.
RESTORING LAWNS (factsheet)
Have you ever wished that you and your neighbors could take care of your lawns in an ecologically sound way?
ROADSIDE SPRAY ALTERNATIVES (factsheet)
We should all be concerned with the amount of herbicides used for roadside vegetation management. With patience, non-chemical methods can be very effective. Alternative controls like mowing and mulching have been used effectively by a number of land managers in the Northwest.
ROSE DISEASES (factsheet) / ROSE DISEASES
Roses grow well in the Pacific Northwest; spring rainfall, sunny summers, and moderate winters all help roses thrive. These same conditions, however, encourage some common diseases and roses are often considered troublesome plants that need the help of fungicides to grow well.
SHRUBS & FLOWERBEDS (factsheet)
Designing your yard so that it doesn't encourage weeds can save you countless hours of weeding. If you have an area in your yard that seems prone to weed problems, think about redesigning and replanting it to help reduce weeds. Plant well-adapted varieties; their vigorous growth means weeds affect them less.
SITE PREPARATION (factsheet)
Whether you are creating an entire landscape design from “the ground up” or altering an existing site, planning is crucial. Remember, no site preparation technique, including herbicide applications, will completely eliminate weeds. Plan a landscape that will establish easily on your site, grow vigorously, and outcompete unwanted plants.
TREE WELLS
Some people like the aesthetic of tree wells in their landscaping. The tidy circle around the tree provides a nice contrast to the surrounding grass and protects exposed trees roots from damage from lawnmower blades.
VINEGAR HERBICIDES
In recent years, some new herbicides have reached the market that contain vinegar, lemon juice and other plant-based ingredients. Some of these products contain both natural and synthetic components, while others contain all natural ingredients.
WEEDS: BANDAIDS ARE NOT ENOUGH (article)
Herbicides kill weeds, but they don’t solve weed problems. In order to solve a weed problem, it’s necessary to change the conditions that are allowing weeds to thrive.