TWO MINUTES
Climate Crisis IV
Last in the current series —
So, in this tiny, anecdotal, unscientific, experiential review of climate change, I’ve been able to review the joys of oriental bittersweet, poison ivy, and lovely lovely ticks. Most everything reviewed here has a location in southern NH — this analysis of a grand invasive plant just about ruined my extensive one-third urban acre farm in Maine. There’s one last invasive plant up for reflection, and maybe some unscientific solutions.
Japanese Knotweed is a creeping root invasive “grass,” not unlike bamboo. Unfettered, it can grow six feet tall, overshadowing and crowding out any other growth. It grows by root, and small sections of root can create a forest of plants. It’s easy enough to cut down, but the roots remain, and form “clumps” or “knots” or “corms” that spread roots about 10 inches under the soil — that is, they spread roots everywhere — everywhere — invasively.
There’s no solution — there’s only damned New England determination, old man stubbornness and irascibility. I tarped the knotweed. I tapped the knotweed with four layers of tarp over five years. I pulled the knotweed, every single sprig, every single day for years. But I’m winning. On my massive farm of a third acre, I’m winning this one — at least for now.
