The May Weed Watchlist

May brings a fresh wave of unwanted guests into your garden. Below is our curated list of autumn weeds to watch for, paired with the Cut ’n’ Paste strategy to eliminate them once and for all.

Moth plant (Araujia hortorum).

A highly invasive, evergreen vine from South America that has become a major environmental pest in New Zealand. It is known for its cruel nature, not only does it smother native forests, but its flowers can also trap and kill pollinating insects. To help the cause we are running a Major Prize Draw worth $500! – continue reading for details on how to enter…

• The Ultimate Eradicator: Cut’n’Paste MetGel or Picloram weed gels.
• How to Treat it: Scrape off a length of the bark of the vine and apply the gel directly onto the exposed stem where it can enter the plant and kill it. Read more here…
• Pro Tip: Focus on these early in May before the seed pods mature. 

Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius).

Broad-leaved dock is a persistent perennial weed with a deep taproot, wide, wavy-edged leaves, and long-lived seeds. Common in pastures, gardens, and waste areas, it grows up to 1 metre tall but can survive regular mowing in lawns by becoming prostrate. It spreads rapidly via wind-blown seed and thrives in compacted soil.

• The Ultimate Eradicator: Cut’n’Paste Original Weed Gel.
• How to Treat it: Wipe onto the underside of some of the growing leaders of this leafy weed. Say goodbye and watch them die away over the next week or two. Read more here…
• Pro Tip: Hand-pulling often fails because the root snaps and regrows, a targeted herbicide application is much more effective.

Creeping Oxalis (Oxalis corniculata).

A stubborn, low-growing perennial weed forming dense mats in lawns and gardens, characterised by clover-like, heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers. It spreads via creeping stems (stolons) that root at nodes, often thriving in thin turf or shady, damp areas.

• The Ultimate Eradicator: Cut’n’Paste Original Weed Gel.
• How to Treat it: Just wipe a little of the gel on the underside of the Oxalis leaves. A couple of follow-ups may be needed.  Read more here…
• Pro Tip: Don’t just pull the leaves; you must get the tiny bulbs and runners. Since it’s so invasive, a precision “paste” application is often the only way to kill it without harming your nearby flowers.

Need to Identify a Different Weed?

Not sure what’s growing in your garden or facing a particularly stubborn invader not listed above? We’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive Cut’n’Paste Weed Directory is your ultimate field guide to identifying and eliminating New Zealand’s most common (and uncommon) weeds.

Pro Tip: Keep our Cut’n’Paste Weed Directory bookmarked on your phone! It’s the easiest way to identify a weed on the spot, choose the perfect gel for the job, and find the exact “plan of attack” needed to clear it out for good.