“Cut broom in bloom!”
It’s a familiar cry in District 69 which is on the front line of an Island wide battle against the invasive weed, according to experts.
“Once people go out and cut broom, and realize how fun it is, and how much better the area looks, they find themselves looking for more broom to cut – in their own neighborhoods, parks and trails,” said Broombuster director Joanne Sales. “Then they cut it on their own. That’s the key to a community’s success.”
Scotch broom, a non-native plant, has spread across south Vancouver Island and has a strong foothold in Oceanside, Sales said.
Community groups and municipalities are hoping to stop the aggressive plant that crowds out native plants and damages the ecosystem.
While people may enjoy the yellow flowers, broom is called “the scourge of pasture land” because it takes over open fields, damages farms, prevents forest re-growth, is a fire hazard and is toxic to animals.
Now is the time to cut Scotch broom. When cut at ground level while in bloom, it dies in the summer heat and does not spread seeds. The bloom lasts around four to six weeks depending on the weather.
Sales said they are always looking for volunteers, both for the community cuts and to cut on their own. People don’t need permission to cut it on their own property.
Call Broombusters to arrange a pick-up or leave it in place to decompose.
The regional district and local municipalities support the initiative, but people should contact Broombusters before cutting on public land, they can provide tools and information.
Sales recommends joining a community cut as a good way to get started and learn the details and she said they particularly need help around Parksville and Errington out to Whiskey Creek.
There are a couple community cuts in the area this weekend to kick off the cutting season. Volunteers will be out around the Highway 19 interchange at Parksville Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and up the highway at the Qualicum Beach exit Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon to catch people’s attention during the Fire and Ice festivities.
Find a safe place to park and look for the people. Tools (loppers) are provided, but people should bring their own gloves.
The widely recognized Broombusters group started in Errington in 2006, partnering with municipalities and the Ministry of Transportation and now has volunteers from Courtenay to Nanaimo.
Contact Sales at 250-752-4816, info@broombuters.org or check www.broombusters.org.
