Market gardener, nurseryman or avid hobbyist – at some stage they all have to contend with weeds, those amazingly resilient plants that grow where they are not wanted.

While it is easy to make light of them, invasive weeds are an increasing problem in New Zealand with individual species affecting agriculture, health, recreational areas and industry.

Many of the invasive weeds causing environmental damage start as ornamental plants in gardens, and become a problem when they ‘jump the fence’.

In The Weed Control Handbook, set to be released nationwide early next month, garden weeds, which are a distinct nuisance to gardeners, are examined first. The book then moves on to target those weeds that threaten our native ecosystems – and yet are quite familiar to most gardeners.

Two and sometimes three photographs identify each weedy plant and clear concise headings urge readers to Know it, Understand it, Control it and Replace it.

The book divides weeds into herbs, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees with clear technical guidelines regarding the use of herbicides and the disposal of weed waste.

Weedbusters New Zealand which has compiled the text and photographs for this practical and hepful handbook is an interagency group with representatives from the Department of Conservation, Regional Government Biosecurity Managers Group, Biosecurity NZ, Nursery and Garden Industry Association and Federated Farmers NZ. The organisation has a weeds awareness programme designed to protect environment.

This book is aimed at the home gardener but of equal use to regional councils, DOC staff and rangers.