The recent late-season frost, while not a friend to the Spring gardeners amongst us, has turned out to be an ally in the management of Japanese knotweed. You may have noticed patches of it along the roadsides withered or stressed from the cold snap.  Perfectly timed, as we typically do a Spring cutting and removal of this troublesome and aggressively spreading plant. 

Wednesday May 31^st from 10-12 we plan to meet at the parking lot across from the North Stonington Town Hall (40 Main Street).  Depending on the number of participants, we’ll either walk or carpool (1/4 of a mile) to the Parke Memorial Preserve, one of several that Avalonia stewards along the Shunock River.  The parking area at the preserve can only safely accommodate 2 vehicles.  There is a fairly steep decline from the trailhead to the work site, but it is otherwise close to and visible from the road.

Gloves and bug repellant are recommended. While tools will be provided for your use, feel free to bring your own set of clippers, loppers, or serrated knife to cut the hollow stems of the knotweed.  If you have an old tarp or sheet of plastic that you would be willing to donate to the cause, please bring it along!

To learn more about this noxious weed and various management and disposal practices, visit the Avalonia Stewardship page. Contact [email protected] for more detail.

Hope to see you on Wednesday!