Broom Control

NO ROOM FOR BROOM! factsheet

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy has broom pulling tools that we lend out.

How do I borrow a broom puller?

Call the office at 250-538-0318 to reserve a tool. The tool is free for SSIC members to use. We do ask non-members for a donation (suggested $5/day) to cover replacement costs—or you can choose to become a member when you come in to pick up the tool.

When do I pull broom?

The wet months are the best time of year. Once rains fall, the ground loosens-up and pulling broom roots becomes much easier and causes the least disturbance to the soil. Minimizing soil disturbance is important because the soil contains a great quantity of broom seeds and when exposed to the sun they are stimulated to germinate.

How many seeds you ask?

A broom plant typically produces 18,000 seeds a year. These seeds can remain banked in the soil for up to thirty years, ready to germinate when they are brought to the surface. So over 5 years, two plants in a one meter square area, could have dropped 144,000 seeds, which are just waiting for the right conditions to sprout, anytime in the next 30 years. Perhaps the moral of this story is that it is best not to put off until next year what you can accomplish this year. It will only make the job 18,000 times harder!