Invasive Plant Species...

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. The term "invasive"; is used for the most aggressive species. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to the areas in which they are present.

These five species are considered invasive in some areas of the country. Please visit www.nps.gov/plants/alien for more information.


Berberis thunbergii, Japanese barberry



Ilex aquifolium, English holly

Ajuga reptans, Bugleweed

Ilex crenata, Japanese holly

Lysimachia nummularia, Creeping jenny

These plants will not be a problem if you maintain them properly. However, always be conscious that their potential for escape is notorious. Invasive plants may disturb some natural habitats, but are the most threatening in ecosystems such as wetlands, sand dunes and fire prone areas like pine barrens where rare native plants are found. If you think the plant you have may be invasive, check your state's invasive list and take the proper steps to ensure that your plant does not become a problem.

'Bonfire' Begonia

Talk about a plant worth having...

Begonia boliviensis 'Bonfire'

The fiery 'Bonfire' is the rare begonia that not only tolerates full sun but thrives in it. This is a mounding begonia that can spread out to be a 20" x 20" plant, with a trailing habit that makes it ideal for hanging basket or urns.

'Bonfire' has small but abundant red-orange, fluted flowers that explode from medium green serrated leaves, edged with red. It is a perennial in zones 9 to 11, but needs to overwinter indoors in colder climates.

As with most begonias, it doesn't tolerate overwatering. Good drainage is essential or roots will rot. It will tolerate shade or partial shade, but will flower most profusely and produce the most vibrant color in full sun.

This plant looks quite provocative with deep burgundies or true purples and with silver plants like lamb's ears or artemisia. 'Bonfire' is the perfect plant to withstand the heat and humidity of the summer garden.

FYI: Carbon Containment

Growing grasses helps prevent the build up of gasses.

Glomalin, a substance excreted by soil fungi, holds soil particles together, helps distribute water and nutrients to roots, and stores 27 % of the soil's carbon.

Growing cover crops increases the glomalin content in the soil. High-phosphorus fertilizers and excessive tilling deplete it. USDA microbiologist Kristine Nichols has found that warm-season grasses like switchgrass produce more glomalin then cool-season or annual grasses.Switchgrass, under review for biofuel production, stores large amounts of carbon deep in the soil, preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere. *

*Organic Gardening Magazine

Soil Testing

Is it really important to test your soil? I hear this question often.

A soil test will help you to determine the 'plant available' nutrients in your soil, the soil pH, and the toxicity levels (if any) in your soil.

Soil testing is the process by which elements are chemically removed from the soil and measured for their 'plant available' content within that sample. These nutrients are phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, manganese, copper and zinc, their quantity in the sample determines what kind and how much fertilizer is recommended.

Testing your soil will also help you to measure the soil pH, which will determine whether your soil is alkaline or acidic. This is important to your plants because at various soil pH levels, nutrients become more or less 'available'.

Finally, soil testing can help you determine whether youe soil is contaminated or contains potentially toxic materials. This is essential if your are going to plant food crops in your garden, since plants will absorb these toxins that you will eventually ingest.

Brooklyn College has an affordable soil testing service which is offered as part of the College's commitment to community. Listed below are the tests available from Brooklyn College, what they measure and their cost.

Toxic Metals - $20
Samples are analyzed for 5 toxic metals:
Lead (Pb)
Chromium (Cr)
Arsenic (As)
Cadmium (Cd)
Mercury (Hg)

Standard Nutrients - $12
Samples are analyzed for major and micro nutrients including:
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Phosphorus (P)
Potassium (K)
Manganese (Mn)
Copper (Cu)
Zinc (Zn)
Iron (Fe)

Soil pH - $5

Soluble Salts - $5

Organic Matter Content - $8

Soil Texture Analysis - $12

Visit the Brooklyn College website: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/pub/departments/esac/1535.htm