Every year at this time I see neighbors with this pretty little flower coming up all over their yards. So pretty is the Bushy Aster…purple flowers with yellow centers.  If you are like this Red Dirt Gardener then you too are on a mission to make sure this prolific weed does not take root in your yard.

Bush Aster, as are all weeds are opportunists. They love bare unhealthy soil as well as dryness.  Given the chance, they will choke out ailing and healthy Bermuda in their ever ending cycle of flowering and going to seed.  If ignored they have roots that go all the way to China…if you know what I mean.

How to get rid of:

Red Dirt Gardening Organic Solution

· Use corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent on your yard in November.

· The Bushy Aster has a very woody stem and is easy to pull in healthy soil. If the plant has seeded, be sure to carefully dispose of it not dropping the seeds into the yard.

· Pull them before they seed and spread to other areas like your neighbors yard.

· These plants are not good composting material.  Dispose of them in waist bin.

Red Dirt Gardening Chemical Solution

Spray in October/November as the plant will begin seeding for next spring if you do not spray the flowers. Use a broad leave weed killer.

Do not forget to feed and water the birds.

American Robins seem to always show up after I have mowed my yard, tended to the soil or planted something new in search of worms and bugs.  Upon occasion I have had so many appear that we they left it looked like I had aerated part of my yard.  They are a wonderful benefit to healthy soil and a hoot to watch.  I put any grubs I find on a large landscaping rock and watch the robins feast!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener