Soil indicator plants

[DJ-Studd]

Where can one get a list of plants and their uses as soil indicators?
Ie, what do Scotch thistle, ragwort and serrated tussock indicate in regards to soil status?
(So that I can correct the imbalance and thus kill the 'weed').


Cheers

[ecodharmamark]

Where can one get a list of plants and their uses as soil indicators?
Ie, what do Scotch thistle, ragwort and serrated tussock indicate in regards to soil status?
(So that I can correct the imbalance and thus kill the 'weed').


Cheers

G'day DJ

A comprehensive textbook on the subject, such as the one I have on my shelf, will go a long way in telling you exactly what you need to know:

Parsons, W.T. (1973) Noxious Weeds of Victoria. Melbourne and Sydney: Inkata Press.

Cheerio, Markos

[Michaelangelica]

This is a start
http://www.primalseeds.org/weeds.htm

I have heard that some weeds indicate precious minerals for prospectors etc

[DJ-Studd]

Beautiful, thanks to the both of you

[Yukkuri_Kame]

This is a start
http://www.primalseeds.org/weeds.htm

I have heard that some weeds indicate precious minerals for prospectors etc

great little list. My brother-in-law's property (zone 9, dry mediterranean foothills) is covered with delicious wild mustard greens. Their soil is exactly as described on that list: "Hardpan or crusty surface; dry, often with thin topsoil". Great to know they grow well under grape, as my mother house is shaded by grape trellis, though she has forbidden me to bring any mustard seeds into her garden.

[purplepear]

I use a chart in a book by Robert Kurak (not sure of spelling) the book is called "Designing and Maintaining your edible landscape - Naturally". Atleast I used to use it as I can not for the life of me see it on the shelf atm.

As for the imbalance thing - the answer is very often in the problem. For an example that I know of the top of my head. Bracken fern indicates low potash and the plant is an accumilator of pot ash. Slashing and returning the plant to the soil will create potash in the soil and the Bracken will nolonger thrive. Neat hey?

[geoff]

"Weeds and what they tell" might also be useful:

http://www.acresaustralia.com.au/bookstore/prod362.htm

[pebble]

Bracken fern indicates low potash and the plant is an accumilator of pot ash. Slashing and returning the plant to the soil will create potash in the soil and the Bracken will nolonger thrive. Neat hey?

How do you know that PP? I'm asking because farmers here burn off bracken which creates lots of more bracken. I've been trying to understand what is going on there. Presumably the ash is potash, so why does the bracken grow back instead of something else?

[purplepear]

I first read about it in a journal for organic farmers many years ago but I tried it in a garden I run for four years and composting the stuff and returning it did all but eliminate the fern. I would have thought burning would work in hind sight but the article said to return the organic matter so that's what I did.
The farmers may be burning off the dried off ferns and so perhaps devoid of the posassium - not sure Pebble.

[matto]

I have a couple of files on my computer from Stuart Hill.
I can email them to you, I can't give you a link because I have no idea where I found them. They are pretty handy though.
PM me if you would like them.