How to Cultivate an Invasive-Free Fall in 5 Simple Steps

Did you see an invasive plant this week? Jump scare! As the spooky season creeps in, follow these wickedly simple steps to banish the terrifying return of invasive plants. While eradicating invasive plants from our gardens may be a longer-term endeavour, here are a few steps you can take to reduce their prevalence this fall.

1.  Watch out for seeds

As fall sets in, invasive plants ramp up their seed production—it’s what makes them invasive in the first place. Some, like Smallflower Touch-Me-Not, even have exploding seed pods that launch seeds far and wide, making them tough to control. These are best left alone for now.

Others, like Burdock, can be stopped in their tracks by deadheading (that sounds like a term out of a horror movie, no?): removing the flowering branches and burs now will prevent them from spreading seeds later. A little effort in the fall can make a big difference in keeping these invaders at bay next summer!

2. “Mulch” ado about nothing

Invasive plants usually need a little light and some room to establish themselves in our gardens. Prevent pesky invasive plants from taking over by applying a thick layer of mulch to uncovered ground.

3.  Do not compost invasive plants

Are you tired of us saying this by now? Please, please, please (hello, Sabrina Carpenter), if you live in the Sea to Sky region, do not put invasive plants in the compost! Some invasive plants can survive the composting process and invade new habitats through soil transport.

Instead, put those nasty invasive species in the garbage.

4. Take a course… or two

Our team is bursting with invasive species knowledge, and (luckily for you) we love to share! As days get colder and nights get longer, hone your environmental stewardship prowess with our catalog of invasive-free courses.

• The Invasive-Free Certification ($35) course offers gardeners and landscapers insight into the common invasive plants in the Sea to Sky. The course highlights species identification and potential impacts; site and species-appropriate control methods; and disposal practices. Upon successful completion of the course, you shall receive an ‘invasive-free certified’ LinkedIn badge.

• Aquatic Invasives 101 (free!) is a great way to learn about the invasive species impacting our beautiful waterways. In just 30 minutes, you’ll become well-versed in Clean, Drain, Dry practices and discover which common household pet is running amuck in our lakes!

• Invasive Species for Realtors & Landowners (free!) is relevant to property managers, land owners, developers, and realtors who wish to increase their invasive species knowledge. Learn how to identify and prevent further spread of key invasive species in the Sea to Sky.

5. Stay informed.

Lastly, our team is busy year-round creating invasive-free content on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Follow us to stay updated on the latest invasive species news, enjoy some memes, and explore career opportunities.