No Glyphosate or Other Toxins
Weed Management Alternatives for City of Ashland Operations
No Glyphosate or Other Toxins
Weed Management Alternatives for City of Ashland Operations
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.
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
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