Are you sure all your garden beds are safe? Some plants that seem harmless can turn a plot into an ecological disaster zone.
Take goutweed, for example. Its roots penetrate to a depth of up to a meter, and the seeds are carried by the wind for kilometers.
If not stopped in time, it will take over the entire garden, suffocating the cultivated plantings. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Heracleum sosnowskyi produces a sap that causes skin burns, and its giant leaves block sunlight from other plants.
Did you know that common couch grass, which many consider to be just a weed, sucks all the nutrients out of the soil? Its roots secrete toxins that inhibit the growth of vegetables.
We have compiled a list of the most dangerous “neighbors” that disguise themselves as harmless greenery.
One of them is the field bindweed, whose shoots twine around the stems of tomatoes and peppers, breaking them under the weight. Check your plot - it may be too late tomorrow...
But there are also less obvious enemies.
For example, the creeping buttercup. Its bright yellow flowers are pleasing to the eye, but the roots contain toxic substances that accumulate in the soil.
If potatoes are grown nearby, the toxins can penetrate the tubers, making them bitter and dangerous to health.
Another silent killer is nettle. Yes, it is useful in soups, but in the garden it quickly takes over.
But what to do if a poisonous plant has already taken over half of the area?
There is a radical method for hogweed: cut off the umbrellas with seeds, burn them, and pour vinegar essence over the root. Just don't forget about safety precautions!
Deep digging with the addition of mustard powder will help with couch grass.
And remember: even seemingly harmless plants like coltsfoot can become a problem. Their roots penetrate into foundation cracks, destroying garden paths and fences.
