My Garden
| Category | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Usage | Edible plant | |
| Medicinal Usage | Medicinal Usage | |
| Duration to maturity | 2 months to harvest | |
| Estimated Plant Lifespan | 12 months lifespan | |
| Sun Requirements | 4-6 hours direct sunlight (Partial Sun) | |
| Pollination | Method: self pollination Notes: Primarily self-pollinating, but can also be cross-pollinated by insects. | |
| Watering Requirements | Method: top water Frequency: when soil is dry Notes: Prefers consistent moisture but can tolerate short dry spells. | |
| Humidity Requirements | Level: moderate Maintenance: Avoid overhead watering that can encourage fungal diseases if air circulation is poor. | |
| Care Instructions | While generally considered a weed, it can be encouraged to grow in specific areas. If grown for culinary or medicinal use, harvest young leaves before flowering for best flavor and potency. Remove spent flowers to prevent excessive self-seeding if desired. | |
| Temperature Range | Min: -10°C Max: 30°C | |
| Alternative Names | Common Shepherd's-purse, Thlaspi bursa-pastoris, Case Weed, Pepper Plant, Shepher's Tree, Bursa bursa-pastoris, Nasturtium bursa-pastoris, Rodschiedia bursa-pastoris, Thlaspi bursa-pastoris pinnatifolia |
Both plants thrive in disturbed soils and compete for similar nutrients, water, and light. Red-root pigweed can grow much larger and shade out shepherd's purse.
Lambsquarters is a vigorous competitor that can outcompete shepherd's purse for resources due to its faster growth and larger biomass.
Small, shiny, dark-colored beetles that jump like fleas. They chew small, round holes in the leaves of young plants, which can stunt growth and reduce vigor. Severe infestations can defoliate plants.
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves. They suck sap from the plant, causing distortion, yellowing, and weakening. They can also excrete honeydew, leading to sooty mold.
Larvae of the Cabbage White butterfly. They are velvety green caterpillars that consume large amounts of leaf tissue, leaving ragged holes and skeletonized leaves. They also produce fecal pellets, which can be unsightly.
Steps:
- Shepherd's purse seeds can be sown directly into the garden soil in early spring or fall.
- Prepare a fine seedbed by removing weeds and debris.
- Sow seeds thinly on the soil surface and lightly cover with about 1/8 inch of soil.
- Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs within 7-14 days.
- Thin seedlings to about 6 inches apart if they are overcrowded.
Neem Oil
Effective against a broad spectrum of insect pests including aphids and flea beetles.
Insecticidal Soap
Used to control soft-bodied insects like aphids.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
A biological pesticide effective against caterpillar pests like cabbage worms.