Pain, Expense and Sweat: Things To Avoid On Your Country Property

June 30th, 2008 categories: Buying Land Advice, Down to Earth Information

Wa_puncture_vine This is one loathsome, useless weed of the Treasure Valley. I’ve heard it called puncture weed, puncture vine, goathead and a few other things I can’t mention here. Puncture weed is capable of putting holes in your bike tires and farm equipment, sticking in your shoes and I imagine one good reason not to go barefoot. Even the puncture weed’s scientific name, Tribulus terrestris—”earthly bed of spikes,” paints a vivid picture.

Another bad feature is the fact that the seed stays viable for years. You can chop it off or use a herbicide, but the seeds need to be raked up, burned or covered over so that it doesn’t germinate the next year.

I had one professor that claimed a weed is only something that is growing in the wrong spot and that every plant serves a purpose. Bet he didn’t know about goatheads. I can’t imagine this weed being of any good to any creature on earth. It’s right up there with wasps and monster trucks in my book.

If you see this weed, don’t dilly dally! Kill it before it goes to seed! And if you see seeds, get rid of them one way or another. People physically pick up goatheads, burn them or use weevils that eat the seed to solve this dilemma. Could be very time consuming and costly if you have a large infestation. Images

When looking for that perfect country property be aware that this is a potential problem. I would imagine you will not find a single piece of country property that doesn’t have this weed somewhere. It is a noxious weed in Ada County and is the responsibility of the homeowner to control. So if you see fields of it, consider the cost and time invested in getting rid of this noxious weed.