Leeks were grown on 589 acres in Monterey County in 2018 and were worth $10.8 million. Depending on the planting date, they can be in the field for 120 or more days, particularly if they are over wintered. They can be grown from seed, but are commonly transplanted to overcome slow initial plant growth. Weed control in leeks is quite challenging because, like onions, they never form a dense crop canopy that can effectively compete with weeds. In addition, given the long crop cycle, a leek planting may experience flushes of both cool and warm season weeds.

Weed control options in organic leeks consist of 1) locating leek planting on blocks with low weed pressure (e.g. blocks with careful weed control in prior crop rotations), 2)...

San Benito County Weed Management Area

A County, State, Federal and Private Partnership

18th Annual Continuing Education Seminar for Ranchers

Bring weeds from your ranch to have them identified by a botanist!

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street (Main Hall), Hollister, California

For information call (831) 637-5346 x14

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Vegetation Management/Monitoring--Biological Science Technician

position through Point Reyes National Seashore Association

Application deadline: 11/29/2019

The Biological Science Technician will work in collaboration with National Park Service staff to assist with a wide variety of tasks, including, but not limited to, invasive plant removal; mapping of invasive plants, rare plants, and rangelands; monitoring of rangelands, dune and other restoration projects, rare plant populations, and water quality; native plant propagation; and field oversight of volunteer and paid crews.  The Technician will remove invasives using manual, mechanical, and chemical...

Why scout for weeds?

While weeds are present in every orchard, there is variation in the weed species composition and density from orchard to orchard. Scouting for weeds is the basis for a good Integrated Weed Management (IWM) plan. Information gathered from weed scouting allows growers to:

• Evaluate the current year's weed control program
• Adjust control practices for the following year
• Discover weed stands and possible resistance before they spread throughout the orchard
• Select the best control option for species of concern, such as:

• Choosing appropriate management...