Further to the Muskoka Ratepayers’ Association “Did You Know” of July 23rd, 2015 (Japanese Knotweed and Other Information) relating to Japanese Knotweed, it has come to our attention that the spread of this invasive plant can make its way into your garden from District of Muskoka free compost!

Yes, the Ratepayers’ have evidence of this and perhaps other invasive plants simply being received at Muskoka dumps as “garden waste” and entering their composting program. In checking with Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program there is no guarantee that seeds or roots will be rotted out and made non-threatening by composting.

The Muskoka Ratepayers’ have asked the District of Muskoka to act swiftly to stop this proliferation process and to educate their transfer yard personnel on identifying Muskoka’s invasive species . Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, and Invasive Phragmites (European Common Reed) are the ones we are concerned with at the moment. These plants must only go into their transfer bins for ultimate burying.

In the meantime, be careful of free compost until appropriate screening measures are in place.

For more information visit Ontario.ca – invasive species