Weeds

The Campus Services Grounds Team always try to choose the most effective method for controlling weeds, but also consider the environmental Impact of their actions.

To try and reduce the impact of weeds establishing, the majority of our planted beds have a 50-75mm covering of bark mulch. If this proves ineffective, annual weeds are removed by hoeing as the weather becomes warmer. The shallow rooted annual weed species will dry out on the surface of the mulch or soil. It is however important that these are controlled prior to setting seed , to prevent more weeds establishing and spreading. Deep rooted weeds in beds either need to be removed manually, by digging out to remove all of the perennial root or treated with a directed application of weed killer, to avoid damaging plants, shrubs and trees.

In other areas, such as paving and pathways, regular brushing helps to reduce weed establishment. However if weed does get a grip, it can become a trip hazard, become very unsightly or even, in extreme cases, cause damage to the surface. It does require control using a herbicide spray.

Some of the sites on our campuses become contaminated with ‘problem’ weeds, such a Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed. These must be legally controlled and this often means pesticides have to be used.

Sports pitches are very carefully managed, but on some occasions broad leafed weeds establish to an extent where selective weed control measures have to be used, as it affects the quality of the pitches for play, starting to outcompete the required grass species. This balance is closely monitored to keep applications to a minimum.

If any herbicides have to be applied, the staff involved have been carefully trained and externally assessed, to ensure they know how to properly mix and apply any of the chemicals they may be using. They also take weather conditions and insect activity into account, to avoid spray drift or spraying when bees may be foraging.

The herbicide most often used has the active Ingredient ‘Glyphosate’, the same as found in ‘Round-up’. It is very effective at killing any actively growing weeds from shoot to root, but is not residual in the soil or environment. We can also use, Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) to keep to a bare minimum, the amount of chemical we apply. This chemical has a very low toxicity to Mammals and Fish, so the diluted chemical, can also be sprayed on water weeds. It will not however kill any weeds which have not germinated at the time of the application, so in some cases, treatment has to be repeated later in the year.

Staff, when spraying, are still required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Coveralls, water proof boots etc. to comply with COSHH regulations, but people need not be excluded from the sites when they are spraying Glyphosate based products.

Please be assured we take public safety very seriously, but if you see any of our staff carrying out spraying near you, they will be qualified to do so safely and have gone through a process to try and ensure they only spray when it is required.

Not only do they want to keep you and themselves safe, but they want to make sure their actions keep the campus looking great, without a detrimental effect on the campus biodiversity.