The following is a reference summary of weed control alternatives for Ashland city departments to consider, including Parks & Recreation and Public Works. The listed approaches emphasize effectiveness, environmental safety, and community compatibility across landscaped, right‑of‑way, and naturalized areas.

1. Mechanical and Physical Control Methods

• Manual weeding, hoeing, and grubbing for small areas

• String trimmers, brush cutters, and flail mowers for roadsides and open spaces

• Steam or hot‑foam weeders (heat‑based)

• Infrared or flame weeders for paved or gravel areas

• Soil solarization

• Mechanical edging and scraping to prevent encroachment

2. Acceptable Low‑Toxicity or Organic Herbicidal Substances

3. Landscape Design and Material Strategies

  A. Ground Covers and Plant Selection

•  Dense perennial groundcovers: thyme, sedum, vinca, juniper

•  Native plants: Oregon grape, kinnikinnick, bunchgrasses

  B. Mulch and Soil Treatment

•    3–4 inches of mulch

•   Cardboard or paper sheet mulching under mulch

 C. Structural and Hardscape Design

•   Geotextile underlayment under gravel paths

•   Use pavers or brick joints instead of sprayed zones

•   Curb edging to simplify trimming

 D. Irrigation and Soil Health

•   Use drip irrigation to avoid watering weed seeds

•   Maintain continuous soil cover to reduce germination

 E. Integrated Maintenance Timing

•   Spring: mechanical removal and pre‑emergent barriers

•   Summer: limited spot applications of low‑toxicity herbicides

•   Autumn: apply mulch and reseed bare soil

•   Ongoing: rotate control methods annually