Hogweed and goldenrod: how to win the war against 'green invaders' and bring land back to life

The two main enemies of Belarusian fields and dachas are Sosnowski's hogweed and Canadian goldenrod. New fines, up to 450 rubles for overgrown plots, came into effect on June 19, 2026. In 2025, over 6,000 hectares were cleared of hogweed and 12,000 hectares of goldenrod. This year's plans are even more ambitious: 6.6 thousand hectares against hogweed and 25 thousand hectares against goldenrod. The main weapon is not just chemicals and mowing. One hogweed plant produces up to 70,000 seeds, which can remain in the soil for up to 15 years. The best method is deep plowing and crop rotation. Land occupied by crops gives weeds no chance. A prime example is the Cherven district, where reclaimed land was returned to cultivation, and invasive species retreated. Victory is possible if we act systematically and do not stop.

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