A weed is a plant growing in an area where it doesn’t naturally belong and where it can have negative impacts on the environment.
Many weed species have been introduced from overseas, but Australian native plants can also become weeds if they are transported to areas outside their natural range.
For further information about common weeds in the Redlands visit our Weeds page.
Why are weeds bad for the bush?
A plant in its natural environment is usually kept in check by diseases and predators that have evolved alongside it. When the plant is introduced to an area outside its range, these natural controls are not there to hold it back.
Once established, weeds can spread quickly and take over large areas of bush. They compete for water, nutrients and light, often smothering native plants, and they can have lasting negative impacts on natural ecosystems if not controlled.
How do weeds get into the bush?
Most weeds in the Redlands are ornamental plants that have escaped home gardens and invaded bushland. This can happen in several ways:
- Garden waste and lawn clippings dumped in bushland can spread seeds from introduced plants
- Animals and birds can carry seeds into bushland via their fur, feathers or droppings
- Wind can carry weed seeds into adjoining bushland
- Seeds can be transported by water into stormwater drains and creeks that run through bushland.
How do I know if a plant in my garden is a weed?
Redlands IndigiScapes Centre has a free booklet titled Environmental Weeds of the Redlands that provides pictures and information. Some weeds are closely related to local native plants and can look quite similar, so identifying the baddies can sometimes be a challenge.
If you have a plant in your garden that you aren’t sure of, take a sample to IndigiScapes and our friendly staff will do their best to identify it. They can also offer you advice on how to control the weeds in your garden, and suggest possible native replacements.
How can I make sure I don’t spread weeds?
Replace exotic garden plants with native plants.
No matter what style of garden you have, for every introduced plant there is a local native that can do the job just as well – with the added bonus that a native plant will provide habitat and food for local wildlife!
Visit our IndigiScapes Centre for native garden inspiration, tips and native plant seedlings.
Identify environmental weeds in your garden and get rid of them
Weeds should not be composted as the seeds and other reproductive parts can survive and take over your garden when you use the compost. Green waste containing weed seeds can be taken to a waste transfer station or placed in a green waste bin – green waste is treated to kill any reproductive parts of plants and stop the spread of weeds.
Dispose of your garden waste responsibly
Garden waste should never be dumped in the bush as it damages the natural environment. Piles of responsibly-dumped green waste are dealt with at Birkdale Waste Transfer Station.
Learn more about your local weeds by downloading the Environmental Weeds of the Redlands Brochure [PDF,10.37MB]