RECOMMENDATIONS:

IPM/A -15-

1. Develop a long-term plan for increasing the den-
sity of plantings in shrub beds to reduce available
growing space for weeds. Low-growing, spreading
groundcovers such as Kinnikinick, cotoneaster, salal,
heath, or junipers are Suggested plant materials. City
staff have begun to increase plant material in shrub
beds on an ad-hoc basis. A city-wide plan and time-
table would facilitate this processes.

2. Apply a thick Coating of mulch to all shrub beds.

If possible, use a chip-type mulch composed of fragments
of trees 2” long by 1/2" wide applied to a depth of 3"
on the soil. This type of mulch can provide excellent
weed control for 12 to 18 months.

3. Remove weeds growing in shrub beds prior to their

setting seed. This will reduce seed sources for
continuing weed problems. there are two main ger-
minating seasons for weeds: early fall and early
spring. Thus, weed control activities should be geared
to these periods when weed seedlings are small and easy
to control by manual or mechanical means, or, if
necessary, spot-treatment with a low-toxic post-emergent
herbicide such as ammonium sulfamate (Ammate) .

Ammate is a fertilizer which, when used at high rates,
acts as an herbicide. It is effective on Horsetai]
(Equisetum arvense), the weed species described by the
park superintendent as the most troublesome weed species
in shrub beds. Application rate is listed as 1 Ib

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