Question
QUESTION: I know that you are not in my region, Pacific NW, but you may know something about getting rid of an invasive plant or 2. My problem is morning glory. It's everywhere. I know that pulling simply stimulates it further. Buttercups are another problem too. We have a seasonal stream with a pond running thru our property. Any tips or references would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Dear Ana:

Morning glories are simply a matter of persistence.  If they are true morning glories. they are annuals and seed prolifically every summer.  It may take years of removing them mechanically, but, eventually, you can stop the seed from hitting the ground by removing them in the spring.  Eventually, the seeds will all sprout and you can control them easily.

If the variety is a perennial, you may have to use an herbicide to control them.  These grow from tubers and are not easily discouraged by hand.

The buttercups are the same, but require a persistent spraying program, timed correctly before they seed.

Spraying need not be dangerous to the environment if done modestly, correctly and timed well.

You can either use the Extension agents for a choice of herbicide or a manual I discovered published recently from your area.  It is called "Weeds Identification and Control" by Technical Learning College in Payson, AZ.  I can not remember the search URL where I found this, but it is a good source of info for invasive control.  The author is Melissa Durbin.

Best of luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your response. I will look up the manual. As we are in a forest with a seasonal stream and a pond that runs thru the middle of our 2/3 acre property, I'm wondering about the effectiveness of applying corn gluten in the spring.

Answer
Ana:

I have no experience with corn gluten and can not advise.

On considering buttercups, they are perennial and often grow in waste areas, not in well developed, healthy grass or groundcover.   This may be a key to reducing their population naturally.  A friend who does not take care of her pasture has a field of them that the horses will not eat and lots of bare ground.

Best wishes.