Greater Shepparton City Council Manager Parks, Sport & Recreation Heath Chasemore said late spring and summer were the best times to control the noxious weed.
“We’ve got some warm weather ahead and given that we’ve also had rain recently, the conditions are ideal for bindii to germinate and produce seeds within the next couple of weeks,” he said. “This is the best time to control bindii as the plants are small, so less herbicide is needed and the ground is still soft, making hand weeding easier.”
CLICK HERE for more information on Caltrop.
Bindii originated from southern Europe and is an annual weed that grows rapidly in summer.
“The spiny seed capsules it produces stick to tyres and shoes and spread through parks, nature strips and lawns,” Mr Chasemore said. “The weed produces a large hard spiny seed capsule that is capable of penetrating people’s skin, animals’ paws and fur, and vehicles’ tyres.”
He said bindii could be controlled in a number of ways including hand weeding, chipping and herbicide spraying.
“Broadleaf selective herbicides are the most effective form of longer term chemical treatment, because the herbicide won’t kill the grasses that provide competition to bindii,” he said. “Council is targeting selected problematic recreation reserves, bike paths and open spaces to complement Council’s existing internal bindii control service but we really need residents’ help to get it under control this summer.”
He encouraged residents to phone Council on 5832 9700 if they noticed bindiis on nature strips; in parks, reserves or sportsgrounds; along Council-owned roadsides; or shared pathways.
Mr Chasemore said it was important the weed was disposed of in the green lid organics bin and not the red lid waste bin. “The heat treatment the organic matter goes through will kill any weed seeds including caltrop,” said Mr Chasemore.
Contact local agricultural chemical suppliers or nurseries for more herbicide advice.
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Be aware of the problems posed by Bindii, also known as Caltrop.
