As we all know well, the unique beauty of springtime in Massachusetts also comes with a few seasonal challenges. Of course, we’ll all plan for the warm breeze, soft grass, and blue skies - the best parts of the season.
With warm weather approaching, it can be easy to lose track of the myriad forms of lawn maintenance; the constant mowing, pruning, and weeding can make any yard seem like a daunting task!
However, cultivating a healthy, robust lawn is one of the keys to enjoying your spring season to the max. A well-maintained lawn not only opens up endless possibilities of springtime enjoyment for you and your family, but it also helps enhance the natural beauty of your property.
One of the most overlooked aspects of lawn maintenance in Massachusetts is the removal of invasive plants. Invasive plants grow at exponential rates during the spring, giving them the worrying potential to completely take over yards, preventing the desired natural ecosystem to flourish.
As the springtime gets further underway, it will be important to keep an eye on the presence of invasive plants in your yard.
Some of the most common invasive plants in Massachusetts have become so commonplace that it can be hard to identify them as invasive. No matter how common, invasive plants are still harmful - Here are some to look out for in your yard during the coming weeks.
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Common Barberry: This invasive plant, originally from Europe, has recognizably red and round berries. Typically growing to about 6 feet tall, Barberry can reach 10 feet left unattended. Barberry is covered in sharp spines, which makes it potentially dangerous to remove. It is spread through bird distribution, making outbreaks difficult to find and control.
Glossy Buckthorn: Glossy buckthorn is characterized by its rapid distribution and glossy leaves. It can easily invade open areas of nature, forming tight thickets of thin trunks, immediately recognizable in the Massachusetts landscape. These thickets can choke out native plant growth and are thick enough that they completely block out whole areas.
Black Locust: Black locust is the least harmful out of the mentioned plants; it was originally a tree grown in other parts of the continental US. It can grow up to one hundred feet if left unattended. However, it now has established itself as an invasive plant in Massachusetts, due to its ability to change nitrogen levels of soil, leading to native plant death.
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