- Author: Kurt J. Hembree
- Posted by: Gale Perez
While both horseweed and hairy fleabane have been here since farming began in the region, it's only since about 2003 that they have become such an obvious problem, particularly in tree and vine systems and non-crop areas.
In the past, the traditional use of combinations of pre- and postemergence herbicides and/or cultivation was adequate to manage them. However, recent changes in environmental regulations, economics, herbicide use patterns (toward more postemergence-only programs), treatment timing, and glyphosate-resistant biotypes have all contributed to the problem. Other factors contributing to their spread include, high seed production, wind dissemination, lack of seed dormancy requirement, preference for undisturbed areas...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
You just KNOW that some plants are considered weeds. Their common names give them away. They sound awful. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). Ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus). Devil's claw (Proboscidea lutea). Smellmelon (Cucumis melo). Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis). Dog-strangling vine (Cyanthum rossicum).
Others...well, others seem more benign. Even sweet. For Valentine's day I present to you nine weedy plants with lovely names. Enjoy...
1. Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). How celestial (Sigh...). How divine (Sigh...). How invasive (sigh...wait, what?). Tree-of-heaven is a deciduous tree, native...
- Author: Gale Perez
- Author: Mark Lundy
Here's more on Mark Lundy...
A new year and a new farm advisor in Colusa‐Sutter‐Yuba
Hello, I’m Mark Lundy, a new Agronomy Advisor in Colusa‐Sutter‐Yuba, based out of the Colusa office. With 2014 underway, I wanted to send out a brief note to introduce myself and give a brief sketch of some of the work I’ve initiated since I began in July of 2013.
Where are you from?
I’m from Arizona originally, but I’m starting my 9th year living here in California. For most of that time I’ve lived in or around Davis where I was a graduate student for 6 years and earned an MS in International Agricultural Development and a PhD in Horticulture and Agronomy. Prior to graduate...
- Reposted by: Gale Perez
- Author: Carl E. Bell
Onionweed (Asphodelus fistulosus) is an attractive but very difficult to control weed that is relatively common along highways, some irrigation right of ways and other areas in Southern California. It likely came to our area as an ornamental plant, maybe as part of a seed mix or used (I was told) in reclamation projects in the north county area of San Diego. Once you learn to recognize it, it is easy to spot in spring and summer, especially along interstate 5 from La Jolla and on north at least as far as San Luis Obispo County. Photo 2 is from a restoration site in San Diego...
- Author: Chris McDonald
Ho Ho Holy Cow its going to be cold (in other parts of the country) this holiday break.
Winter and the New Year are great times to think about preventing weed management problems. With the onset of winter rains in many parts of California, weeds have emerged on roadsides, wildlands and the edges of fields. Its a good time to monitor what has emerged and decide if those weeds will need to be treated soon.
Preventing weeds also requires preventing the breakdown of application equipment. We can’t prevent every malfunction, but keeping equipment in good working condition is a good practice. Winter is an excellent time to winterize equipment (as the name suggests) and to also repair any...