How to Destroy the Bindis in My Yard
The low-growing plant soliva sessilis goes by many names, including Onehunga weed, common soliva, lawnweed, burrweed, bindi weed and bindii. It originated in South America, but has achieved success as an invasive species in North America and Australia. It usually grows in compacted soils, at elevations below 1,500 feet. Bindi weed has dark or purple-spotted stems. Its spiny burs are painful when stepped on with bare feet. Although the most environmentally sound way to deal with bindi is to cultivate a yard that discourages its growth, there are several ways to kill it chemically. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Try the home remedy described by an ABC news report in Australia, where bindi infestations are a significant problem. Mix 2 tbsp. of iron sulfate with 4 1/2 liters of water and spray it on the bindi. Iron sulfate is available at home-and-garden stores.
-
2
Buy a weed killer from your local home-and-garden store. Weed killers that will attack this pest include Chemspray Bin-die; Bindii and Broadleaf Weed Killer; and Jo Jo Onehunga Weed Killer. Dilute the chemical according to the instructions on the container and spray it over the plant.
-
-
3
Adjust your lawnmower to maintain the grass in your yard at a higher level, and the grass should exclude the low-laying bindi. An intense bindi infestation is often a sign that your grass is too low. The weed also thrives in compacted earth, so aerating the soil can help.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Pesticide runoff is harmful to the environment. Two ways to moderate the level of runoff are to spray when the soil is dry and little or no rain is expected, and to apply frequent light doses rather than occasional heavy treatments.
References
- Photo Credit Lawn image by Yuriy Rozanov from Fotolia.com
