MY WEEDS (JUN-DEC 2008)

June 2008 - Wall fumitory grows happily under peach and plum trees in winter and spring

June 2008 - Close up of the attractive wall fumitory flower

July 2008 - The bright sow thistle flower is easy to spot on the farm

August 2008 - Hoary cress looks attractive, but not a nice weed to have on the farm

August 2008 - Close up of the thick woody roots found on hoary cress plants

September 2008 - The red flowered mallow is a small low-growing herb

September 2008 - Close up of the red flowered mallow flower

October 2008 - Curled dock grows well producing dense dark green vegetation if the area is moist

November 2008 - Wild artichoke plants are easy to spot in late spring due to the intense purple flowers

November 2008 - A close up view of the spiky wild artichoke flower

December 2008 - Twiggy mullein plants being tall, stand out on the farm

There are always plenty of weeds and I enjoy making new discoveries on the farm.

June 2008 - Wall Fumitory (Fumaria muralis)

This attractive weed known as Wall Fumitory or Smoke Weed grows rapidly in cool wet weather and quickly covers small plantings. Of Mediterranean origin, this quite hardy weed can quickly colonise waste areas as well as cultivated plots and is mostly a nuisance on the farm. The plant has a shallow root system and can be easily removed, but it can clutter cultivation implements.

Wall fumitory has been mostly located in the vegetable and fruit patch where extra irrigations have allowed it to flourish.

July 2008 - Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleaceous)

Common sow thistle is a fast grower in winter and spring and even though its leaves look soft and relatively tender, the plant is surprisingly tough. Bright yellow flowers later produce a puffball of small white seed that are easily carried in the wind. Growing as high as 1.5 metres in favoured locations this weed is popular with the resident birds, rabbits and hares. Arriving from Europe and central Asia sow thistles are now commonplace in Victoria.

August 2008 - Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba)

Hoary cress or white weed can be a nightmare for gardeners and farmers. Once established, infestations can be very difficult to eradicate. Producing a thick and very tough underground root system, the plant will produce more weeds if the roots are not removed after cultivation. A small patch of Hoary cress on the farm has been carefully monitored and regularly sprayed with systemic herbicides that will also kill roots. After 2 years I am winning the battle, but it pays never to become complacent with such a tough weed.

September 2008 - Red Flowered Mallow (Modiola caroliniana)

This attractive low growing herb appears throughout the farm in spring producing miniature orange hibiscus like flowers. The bright flowers are followed by round green buttons containing developing seeds. Looking like a tender herb, this weed can survive in poor soils and quite tough conditions. Red flowed mallows are now common throughout south-eastern Australia.

October 2008 - Curled Dock (Rumex crispus)

Found is areas where drainage is poor, Curled dock is quick to become established during winter and spring. Growing up to 1.3 metres dock can be toxic to grazing animals and should be removed from pastures. Dock has become established in some low- lying areas on the farm, but their presence is of little consequence for me at the moment as I do have any farm animals. Introduced from Europe and Africa, dock is common in areas receiving high rainfall.

November 2008 - Wild Artichoke (Cynara carunculous)

This extremely hardy perennial is common in areas that have heavy soils and is now widespread in Victoria. Growing to 1.5 metres when in flower, this grey-leaved herb looks impressive from a distance, but great care needs to be taken when handling this weed as the leaves carry very sharp spines. Closely related to the domesticated artichoke, the wild artichoke has become a difficult weed to eradicate along roadsides and in pastures. The clumps of wild artichoke found on the farm when purchased have been sprayed several times and have now met their maker!

December 2008 - Twiggy Mullein (Verbascum vigatum)

This tall slender herb must be extremely tough as it grows happily in very poor soil on the farm. It has only reached about 1 metre on the farm, but can exceed 2 metres in better locations. Twiggy mullein arrived from Europe as a garden specimen due to its spiked yellow flowers, but has now escaped to locations such as disused areas, roadsides and locations with poor soil. Mullein is a common weed on the farm in the revegetation area.