How To Get Rid Of Invasive Tumbleweeds In The Yard

The iconic tumbleweed! Rolling endlessly, bouncing across plains, all while releasing seeds that give rise to stubborn new weeds that crowd roads, choke entryways, and quietly claim yards. It's truly a nightmare, especially for the people living in the West. This makes many people wonder where these obnoxious weeds even come from and how to get rid of them. Well, put simply, tumbleweeds are plants (mostly Russian thistle or some amaranth species) that break off at the soil level when they die, and then flip-flop across the landscape with the wind. As for how you get rid of them, there are many mechanical removal and cultural control strategies, as well as chemical treatment options.

The trick is to know which approach to use and when. It's also important to understand that tumbleweed is an annual plant, not a perennial one. So, eradication efforts need to focus on preventing seeds from spreading, not on removing the roots in the ground. You must identify the problem early. Tumbleweeds can transition from a soft, succulent seedling to a prickly, woody nightmare very quickly. However, that is not even the worst part.

These obnoxious weeds often accumulate along fence lines, homes, and tree rows. And since they are basically just dry vegetation, they become a huge fire hazard. Plus, they grow well even in disturbed and extremely dry soil. This allows them to quickly and easily invade unkempt backyards and roadsides. So, their control becomes absolutely necessary. You just need to make sure that you steer clear of weed-removing strategies that aren't worth your time.

Physical removal method should be the first line of defense against the invasive tumbleweed. Tumbleweeds have shallow roots, so you can just pull them out of the ground. However, you need to do it before the plants mature, develop spines, and set seeds. You can also try tilling, hoeing, and mowing to remove tumbleweeds from a large area. Just make sure to set the mowing height low, and when tilling and hoeing, the tool must penetrate the soil to ensure the growing points are destroyed. Also, keep in mind that you might need to do it several times before you get good results.

If you have nothing growing in your yard, you can also try mulching the bare ground. If, however, you don't want to use mulch, at least plant something. There are plenty of ground covers that will choke out weeds. Competition from plants also helps control the establishment and dominance of tumbleweeds in landscapes. Both mulching and competitive plants work by limiting the sunlight that reaches the tumbleweed seeds on the ground, thereby reducing their germination.

If everything else fails, there are also chemical treatment options. And when it comes to tumbleweeds, you have the option of using both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. Just keep in mind that post-emergent herbicides are not as effective and work best on young tumbleweeds. So, try to aim your herbicide applications to hit the early emergence flushes between late February and early March. Also, make sure to follow all the label instructions and spray weeds either late morning or the early evening. It's the best time to spray your weeds.