Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:15 am Posts: 21 Location: Plainview,TEXAS
My neighbor isn't the best gardener in the world, these started in his yard a few years ago , then about 3 years ago they came across the line into my vegie garden. I keep trying to pull them up, as the vinegar does nothing to them, but if you break off even a small part of a leaf and let it fall it will take root & start a new plant. Don't know if the pics show it well enough but the leaves are kind of fat. I think it may be in the same plant family as portulaca. as it is simular, but without the flowers.
What is it , and how do I get rid of it?
I'd say is is a Portulalca species - Portulaca oleracea, Common Purslane. The behavior and description pretty much matches my experience with it. It does flower (though I don't remember ever seeing it do so), but not as extravagantly as Moss Rose, Portulaca grandiflora.
Other than pulling by hand I don't know how to get rid of it. I've seen some folks talk about using a torch weeder for it, though.
I had never thought of eating it until the other night. I was watching the Discovery Health channels 'Manic Organic'. The host, Antony John, was harvesting greens and ate some....
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 9:10 am Posts: 1260 Location: Carrollton,TEXAS
I could not help but notice the bare soil. To have bare soil is to ask for weeds. Soil does not like to be bare. I wouldn't want to be without protection from the elements, either. It gets too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. Mulch with at least 3-4 inches of native tree trimmings or cedar mulch. Rough cut larger pieces are more desirable as a bottom layer as it allows for water to penetrate and for oxygen exchange.
_________________ Nadine Bielling Haefs
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Gardener Exchange Forum
The Laws of Ecology:
"All things are interconnected. Everything goes somewhere. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Nature bats last." --Ernest Callenbach
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