Get rid of Ragweed!

Ragweed is a very common widespread weed in Quebec affects many people because its pollen causes seasonal rhinitis.

It is found from May to October and begins to bloom and produce pollen in mid-July.

Pollen causes allergic reactions in more than 1 million Quebec people from July to October.
Once the pollen is produced, it travels through the air in the form of fine dust.

This is what ragweed looks like.

The ragweed can reach up to 1 meter in height. Its stems are covered with hairs.
This plant adapts easily because it can grow in dry but also humid places, in shady but also sunny places.

We often find it:

• Along streets and sidewalks
• On the side of paved roads
• On vacant lots
• On lands under construction
• On industrial lands
• On lands that serve as snow dumps

Be careful not to confuse it with poison ivy, which can reach a height of 1 meter. This plant contains toxic sap that causes an allergic reaction on the skin.

We advise you to remove ragweed from your environment if you have any so as not to suffer from seasonal rhinitis, a very unpleasant cold.

- You can initially prevent the appearance of the plant in

• Use mulch or groundcover in places where there is no lawn
• Improve soil quality with compost or fertilizer
• Sow the land, or plant other vegetation

- If you already have them on your garden, you can pull them out by hand by uprooting the plant or mowing them if they are on a large surface. For mowing, do it at least 2 times during the season from July to October.

It is recommended that you do not dispose of plants that have been torn or cut from your compost because they could contaminate it.